Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious viral disease that primarily affects small ruminant animals such as sheep and goats. This disease is caused by the small ruminant plague virus (PPRV) and belongs to the measles virus genus of the paramyxoviridae family. Small ruminant disease has serious economic and social impacts, particularly in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

Clinical symptoms

Acute phase symptoms

Animals infected with the small ruminant plague virus typically experience acute hyperthermia, with body temperature rising to 40-41 ° C.

Animals exhibit symptoms such as depression, anorexia, shortness of breath, and drooling.

There may be secretions in the eyes, nasal cavity, and oral cavity, which start as clear water and then become mucous or purulent.

Oral lesions

Corrosive ulcers may occur in the oral cavity, especially in the gums, tongue, and inner cheeks, often accompanied by bad breath.

Digestive system symptoms

Infected animals often experience watery diarrhea, with feces possibly mixed with blood and necrotic tissue, leading to rapid dehydration and weight loss.

Respiratory symptoms

Due to the respiratory invasion of the virus, animals often experience coughing, difficulty breathing, and scabbing around their nostrils.

Mortality

In susceptible populations without immune protection, the mortality rate of small ruminant plague can be as high as 50-90%, especially in young animals and severe cases.

Transmission route

Direct contact transmission

The small ruminant plague virus is mainly transmitted through direct contact with the body fluids of infected animals, such as saliva, tears, mucus, feces, etc. Infected animals have the highest detoxification during the acute phase and are the main source of infection.

Airborne transmission

Viruses can be transmitted through droplets in the air, especially in crowded or poorly ventilated environments where they are more likely to spread.

Indirect transmission

Viruses can also be indirectly transmitted through contaminated feed, water sources, equipment, or human clothing and shoes.

Animal transportation

Infected animals can easily cause rapid transmission and spread of the virus during market trading or cross regional transportation.

Clinical diagnosis

Clinical symptom observation

Due to the specificity of the symptoms of small ruminant animal disease, especially the combination of oral ulcers, diarrhea, and respiratory symptoms, clinical symptoms can provide preliminary diagnostic evidence.

Pathological examination

Autopsy of diseased or deceased animals can reveal obvious lesions, such as erosive lesions in the oral and digestive tracts, pulmonary bleeding, and intestinal necrosis.

Laboratory testing

Virus isolation and cultivation: Isolation and identification of small ruminant plague virus in cell culture.

PCR detection: Using PCR technology to detect the nucleic acid of viruses can quickly diagnose infection.

Serological testing: Detecting antibody levels in animal serum through ELISA or virus neutralization tests, used for diagnosing infections and monitoring vaccine efficacy.

Preventive measures

preventive measure

Vaccination

At present, the main prevention method for small ruminant animal disease is vaccination with attenuated live vaccines. Widespread vaccination is an effective method for controlling and eliminating the disease.

Regular large-scale vaccination in epidemic areas can establish herd immunity and prevent disease outbreaks.

Quarantine measures

Strengthen animal quarantine and monitoring, especially during animal transportation, trading, and introduction processes. Avoid introducing potentially infected animals from epidemic areas.

Isolation measures

Animals suspected of infection should be immediately isolated to prevent the spread of the virus. The quarantine area should be strictly managed to avoid contact between healthy animals and infected animals.

Disinfection measures

Strengthen the hygiene management of breeding facilities, regularly disinfect livestock houses, equipment, feed, and drinking water to reduce the chances of virus transmission.

control measures

Killing and destruction

In the event of an outbreak of the epidemic, culling infected animals and harmless treatment of their bodies can effectively control the spread of the epidemic.

Limit movement

Restricting the movement and trade of animals in epidemic outbreak areas to prevent the virus from spreading to other areas.

Vaccination Emergency Plan

After the outbreak of the epidemic, quickly implement emergency vaccination to protect animal populations that have not yet been infected.

Global Control and Elimination Plan

The small ruminant animal disease poses a serious threat to the global livestock industry, especially to rural economies that rely on small ruminants. Therefore, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have jointly launched a global eradication plan for small ruminant disease, with the goal of completely eradicating this disease in the coming years. This plan includes the implementation of large-scale vaccination, monitoring, and control measures.

Due to its high pathogenicity and widespread transmission, small ruminant disease is a major animal disease that requires global attention and joint prevention and control.

Peste des Petits Ruminants Antibody Rapid Test

Antigene has developed a Pest des Petits Ruminants Antibody Rapid Test, which is fast, easy to operate, and highly accurate. It can provide effective assistance for veterinarians or farmers in detecting small ruminant disease.