Infectious keratoconjunctivitis
Infectious keratoconjunctivitis is a highly contagious eye disease that affects ibexes and other wild or domestic goats. It causes inflammation of the cornea (transparent part of the eye) and the conjunctiva (membrane that covers the white...
What is it?
Infectious keratoconjunctivitis is a highly contagious eye disease that affects ibexes and other wild or domestic goats. It causes inflammation of the cornea (transparent part of the eye) and the conjunctiva (membrane that covers the white of the eye and the inside of the eyelids). Bacteria, particularly of the Mycoplasma or Chlamydia genus depending on the case, are most often the cause. This disease is well known in wild populations of ibexes in the Alps and other mountain ranges, where it can cause episodes of collective blindness. In the wild ibex, the disease is of particular importance because a blind animal, even temporarily, becomes very vulnerable to falls and predators.
Key point
Can cause episodes of collective blindness in wild populations, greatly increasing the risk of mortality from falls or predation.
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 watering then discharge from the eyes which becomes thicker. The eye turns red and the ibex blinks a lot or keeps its eyelid half-closed out of discomfort and pain.
The cornea, normally transparent, becomes cloudy, even whitish in advanced forms: this is what is colloquially called “white evil”.
The animal may appear disoriented, bump into rocks or obstacles, and exhibit decreased activity and appetite.
Only one eye may be affected initially, but the damage often becomes bilateral.
In severe cases, temporary or sometimes lasting vision loss may occur.
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 most often linked to bacteria such as Mycoplasma conjunctivae, sometimes associated with other opportunistic germs which aggravate eye damage. These bacteria colonize the surface of the eye and cause intense inflammation of the conjunctiva and cornea.
High density gatherings of animals, such as during the rut or in restricted grazing areas, encourage the rapid spread of the disease. Contact with healthy carrier domestic herds (goats, sheep) constitutes a major risk factor for wild populations. Stress, harsh climatic conditions and the presence of biting or licking insects also increase the risk of contamination and complications.
Transmission
Transmission occurs through direct contact between animals, particularly during periods of social gathering, and through ocular secretions. Flies and other insects attracted to eye discharge can also carry bacteria from one animal to another. Contact with carrier domestic sheep or goats can also introduce the disease into a wild ibex population.
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 based on the observation of characteristic clinical signs by a veterinarian, supplemented if possible by an eye sample to identify the bacteria in question in the laboratory. In wild animals, remote observation using binoculars or by field agents often allows an initial suspicion, but confirmation requires capture and close examination.
Treatment
In captive or parked animals, local or general antibiotic treatment can be implemented by the veterinarian, combined with care to relieve eye pain. In completely wild ibexes, individual therapeutic intervention is rarely possible; management is then based on population surveillance and, sometimes, health management measures at the scale of the herd or the massif.
Treatment depends on the cause and the animal's condition: it must be determined by a veterinarian. No self-medication.
Prevention
In wild populations, prevention is mainly based on limiting contact with domestic herds in shared grazing areas. Health monitoring of ibex populations by veterinary services and natural area managers makes it possible to quickly detect outbreaks. There is no vaccine available against this disease in ibexes.
Possible complications
Severe damage to the cornea can leave permanent opaque scars, leading to partial or total loss of vision. A blind ibex is much more likely to fall in steep areas or be captured by a predator, which can indirectly cause its death. During major epizootics, mortality linked to complications can significantly affect a local population.
When to see a veterinarian
One or more red, watery, or cloudy eyes in a captive or park animal
Half-closed or closed eyelids associated with discharge
Animal that seems to bump or hesitate in its movements
Decreased appetite or activity associated with eye signs
Observation of several animals affected simultaneously in the same group
Prognosis
The prognosis is favorable in many cases when the inflammation remains superficial and the animal can be treated quickly, especially in captivity. In untreated wild animals, the outcome is more uncertain: a partial spontaneous recovery is possible, but ocular after-effects or a fatal outcome linked to complications remain frequent during severe episodes.
Frequently asked questions
Does the ibex necessarily become blind?
No. Many ibexes recover with a cornea that becomes clear again, especially if the damage is treated early. Total and lasting blindness mainly concerns severe or neglected forms.
Does this disease also affect domestic goats?
Yes, very similar eye diseases affect domestic goats and sheep, with the same bacteria involved. It is also one of the routes of contamination between domestic and wild animals.
Can we treat an affected wild ibex?
In practice, it is very difficult because the animal is free and fierce. Individual care mainly concerns ibexes in captivity, in animal parks or in care centers.
How does disease spread in a wild herd?
It is transmitted by direct contact between animals and via insects attracted by eye discharge, which explains rapid epidemics during seasonal gatherings.
References
WOAH — Organisation mondiale de la santé animale (ex-OIE)
Content reviewed by the TunisieVet editorial team · Updated 14 September 2026
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