Chamois keratoconjunctivitis (chamois blindness)
Chamois keratoconjunctivitis, also called "chamois blindness", is a very contagious eye infection which affects chamois and sometimes other wild mountain ungulates such as the ibex or mouflon. It is caused mainly by a bacteria of the genus...
What is it?
Chamois keratoconjunctivitis, also called "chamois blindness", is a very contagious eye infection which affects chamois and sometimes other wild mountain ungulates such as the ibex or mouflon.
It is caused mainly by a bacteria of the genus Mycoplasma, sometimes associated with other germs such as Chlamydia or Branhamella (Moraxella) ovis.
The disease affects the conjunctiva, the membrane that lines the inside of the eyelids, and the cornea, the transparent part of the eye. In severe cases, it can lead to complete, temporary or sometimes permanent blindness.
Key point
This disease can cause significant mortality episodes in wild chamois populations, mainly due to the indirect consequences of blindness in steep mountain environments.
Commonly observed signs
These signs are neither exhaustive nor specific. Only a veterinarian can establish a diagnosis.
Related signs — each one links to its page:
The first signs are discharge from the corner of the eye, tearing and redness of the conjunctiva.
The animal blinks a lot and sometimes keeps the eyelid half-closed because of the pain and discomfort caused by the light.
The cornea may become cloudy, opaque or even whitish when the infection progresses, which indicates deeper damage to the eye.
In severe forms, one or both eyes are affected and the animal loses its sight, partially or completely.
A blind chamois bumps into rocks and trees, wanders disoriented, isolates itself from the group and quickly loses weight because it is no longer able to feed properly or spot dangers.
These weakened and disoriented animals become easy prey or die from falls in the steep areas typical of their habitat.
When to consult without delay
This list does not replace veterinary advice. It gathers situations that justify a prompt consultation.
Causes and risk factors
The disease is mainly due to bacteria of the Mycoplasma genus, notably Mycoplasma conjunctivae, which colonize the conjunctiva and the cornea.
Co-infections with other bacteria, such as Chlamydia or Branhamella ovis, can aggravate the lesions.
Contamination occurs by direct contact between animals, by flies that land on eye discharge, or by contact with contaminated surfaces such as vegetation or water sources shared.
Promiscuity between animals, particularly during seasonal groupings, promotes rapid spread of the disease within a population.
The presence of domestic sheep in the same grazing areas is a significant risk factor, because the latter can be healthy carriers of Mycoplasma conjunctivae and transmit the infection to wildlife.
Conditions of high chamois population density, periods of stress (rigorous winter, lack of food) and the presence of insect vectors also favor the appearance and spread of the disease.
Young animals and already weakened individuals seem more susceptible to severe forms.
Transmission
Transmission occurs mainly by direct contact between animals, particularly during close contact during periods of grouping.
Flies that feed on eye secretions play a role of mechanical vector by transporting the bacteria from one animal to another.
Indirect contamination via surfaces or vegetation soiled by eye secretions is also possible.
Domestic sheep healthy carriers of Mycoplasma conjunctivae represent an important source of contamination for wild chamois populations.
Diagnosis and care
Diagnosis is the veterinarian's responsibility, based on clinical examination and laboratory tests. Care is decided case by case.
The diagnosis is firstly based on the observation of typical clinical signs by a veterinarian or a wildlife management agent: ocular discharge, redness, opacity of the cornea.
In the context of wildlife health monitoring, eye samples can be taken from animals captured or found dead, in order to identify the bacteria in the laboratory using culture or molecular biology techniques.
In the wild chamois, individual intervention is rarely possible; disease management is mainly done at the population level, through epidemiological surveillance.
Treatment
In wild animals, individual treatment is generally impossible to implement in the field.
In rare cases where a chamois can be captured or in captivity situations, local or general antibiotic treatment may be considered by a veterinarian to limit the severity of the infection.
Disease management in wild populations relies primarily on surveillance and preventive measures rather than generalized curative treatment.
Treatment depends on the cause and the animal's condition: it must be determined by a veterinarian. No self-medication.
Prevention
There is no vaccine available against this disease in chamois.
Prevention is primarily based on managing contact between wildlife and domestic herds, particularly sheep, which can carry the bacteria without showing symptoms.
Limiting the sharing of grazing areas and water points between domestic and wild animals helps reduce the risk of transmission.
Health surveillance of wild populations by veterinary services and wildlife management organizations makes it possible to quickly detect outbreaks and to limit its spread.
Possible complications
The main complication is blindness, partial or total, which prevents the animal from moving normally in its steep mountain environment.
This leads to fatal falls, an inability to escape predators, and a general weakening due to lack of nutrition.
Epizootics, that is to say epidemics affecting a large part of the wild population, can lead to significant mortality in certain areas, with an impact on the dynamics of chamois populations.
When to see a veterinarian
Observation of a chamois with one or both red, watery or cloudy eyes.
Chamois bumping into obstacles or moving disorientedly.
Discovery of a emaciated animal, isolated from the group and showing ocular signs.
Suspicion of an outbreak affecting several animals from the same population, to be reported to wildlife management services or the competent veterinary authorities.
Prognosis
The individual prognosis depends on the severity of the corneal damage: many animals heal spontaneously with partial or total recovery of vision within a few weeks.
However, in a steep natural environment, even a temporary decline in vision can be fatal due to falls or predation.
At the population level, the disease most often progresses in episodes, with phases of high mortality followed by a lull, without total disappearance of the bacteria in the environment.
Frequently asked questions
Can chamois keratoconjunctivitis affect humans?
No, this disease is not considered transmissible to humans. It remains a health concern for wildlife and, to a lesser extent, domestic flocks such as sheep.
Can domestic sheep transmit the disease to chamois?
Yes, sheep can carry the responsible bacteria without showing symptoms and transmit it to chamois when they share the same grazing areas.
Can a blind chamois regain his sight?
In many cases, spontaneous healing with recovery of vision is possible within a few weeks. But in a mountain environment, the animal can die before this recovery due to falls or predators.
Is there a vaccine to protect chamois from this disease?
No, there is no vaccine available for this disease in chamois at present. Prevention is based on the management of contact with domestic herds and health surveillance.
References
WOAH — Organisation mondiale de la santé animale (ex-OIE)
Content reviewed by the TunisieVet editorial team · Updated 30 October 2026
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