Peste des Petits Ruminants

Overview of Peste des Petits Ruminants
Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is an acute or sub acute viral disease of goats and sheep characterized by fever, necrotic stomatitis, gastroenteritis, and pneumonia. It was first reported in the Ivory Coast in 1942 and subsequently in Senegal, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria. Sheep and goats are probably equally susceptible to the virus, but sheep may be somewhat more resistant to its clinical effects.

 While sero surveillance of affected flocks often shows higher prevalence levels in sheep, this may reflect the fact that a higher proportion of the affected goats have died. Cattle are only subclinically infected. Humans are not at risk.

Signs and Symptoms
The disease usually has a sudden onset with the following clinical signs:
1. Clear nasal discharge;
2. Fever;
3. Loss of appetite; and
4. Severe depression.
As the disease progresses the following additional signs can be observed:
* Thick yellow discharge crusting and blocking the nostrils;
* Severe eye infections;
* Swelling of the tissues in the mouth;
* Ulcers on the lower gums, dental pad, hard palate, cheeks and tongue; and severe diarrhea, resulting in dehydration and severe weight loss.
* Pneumonia is common in later stages. Pregnant animals may abort. The prognosis of PPR is poor-death can occur three to eight days after the onset of fever. Young animals are most severely affected.

Post-mortem lesions
The lesions are situated in the digestive tract.
Quick post-mortem examination will lead to the discovery of many haemorrhagic patches on the serous membranes, and intense pneumonia. There is a risk that it may conclude with enzootic pneumonia , inability to open the mouth, and problems with the oesophagus and different parts of the intestine.
Erosions and inflammation are widespread on buccal mucosa. The same lesions are also present in pharynx, oesophagus, and on mucus-producing epithelia of the gut , from abomasum to rectum. Zebra-striped lesions on
coecum and colon are said to be typical in some cases. Rarely, there are also petechiae on the rumen mucosa.

Diagnosis
History and clinical signs will enable a presumptive diagnosis to be made in endemic regions. The virus can be detected in acute cases from various swabs and blood samples, using PCR and ELISA . Antibodies can also be detected via ELISA.

Treatment and control
Antibiotics such as chloramphenicol , penicillin and streptomycin can be used and supportive treatment may be helpful.
A vaccine has been developed that may decrease death in the flock.
There may be movement restrictions, slaughter of affected flocks in an attempt to eradicate the disease.

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