Cowpox virus (CPXV) is a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus, closely related to smallpox and monkeypox viruses. It primarily affects rodents but can also infect humans and other animals through direct contact. The virus causes localized skin lesions that progress through distinct stages, including vesicular and pustular phases, before healing with scarring. While cowpox is generally mild in immunocompetent individuals, its study provides valuable insights into poxvirus evolution, immune evasion mechanisms, and vaccine development.