An epizootic of contagious ecthyma in rocky mountain bighorn sheep in Colorado.

Seven of 20 adult male bighorn sheep (Ouis canadensis canadensis) ranging from 3 to 7 years of age, from the Saguache, Colorado Area, had active lesions of contagious ecthyma. Diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology, animal inoculation, and electron microscopy. This is the first documentation of this disease in bighorn sheep of Colorado.