Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) - Small Ruminant Plague

Background

PPR (Peste des Petits Ruminants) is an acute or subacute viral disease affecting goats and sheep. The impact on goats is more severe than on sheep. Additionally, the disease is more severe in young animals (4-8 months), with higher morbidity and mortality rates than in adult animals.

The disease exists in most African countries located in a wide belt between the Sahara Desert and the Equator, and in the Middle East (Israel, Syria, Iraq, Jordan).

The disease is characterized by fever, necrotic stomatitis, eye inflammation, gastroenteritis, and pneumonia.

Transmission

The disease does not have high infectivity, and its transmission requires close contact between animals.

The virus causing the disease is transmitted through:

• Eye secretions
• Nasal discharge
• Oral discharge
• Feces

Transmission usually occurs through coughing or sneezing of sick animals.

Disease Characteristics

The virus incubation period is 4-5 days. Typically, it appears acutely. After the incubation period, body temperature rises, lasting about 5 to 8 days.

Clinical Progression

With the rise in body temperature, nasal discharge usually begins:

• Starts as serous discharge
• Becomes mucopurulent
• Dries and forms crusts
• Blocks nostrils, causing breathing difficulties and severe sneezing

Concurrent Developments

Eye Inflammation

• Purulent conjunctivitis develops
• May cause eyelid adhesion

Oral Necrosis

• Necrotic stomatitis develops, involving:
  • Hard palate
  • Cheeks
  • Tongue
• Manifests as superficial necrotic foci that don’t bleed

Gastrointestinal Signs

• Watery (not bloody) diarrhea develops
• Animals lose weight and become dehydrated

Final Stages

In the later stages of the disease, severe pneumonia typically develops, accompanied by severe coughing.

Death typically occurs after 5-10 days.

Disease Diagnosis

Diagnosis is typically made based on clinical signs and in the laboratory by:

• Viral antigen identification in immunohistochemical examination
• Virus identification by PCR

Differential Diagnosis

PPR should be differentiated from:

• Foot-and-mouth disease
• Blue tongue disease
• Rinderpest
• Pneumonia caused by Mannheimia haemolytica bacteria
• Coccidiosis

Treatment and Prevention

Treatment

Treatment is supportive care:

• Antibiotics for secondary infections
• Fluid therapy for dehydration
• Nutritional support
• Isolation of affected animals

Prevention

Vaccination

• The vaccine is an attenuated sheep plague vaccine
• Provides good protection for sheep and goats
• Vaccinated flocks do not become sick
• The vaccine has been proven effective even during outbreaks
• Stops morbidity in infected flocks
• Improves clinical condition of sick animals

Management Practices

• Quarantine new animals
• Good biosecurity measures
• Avoid contact with infected flocks
• Regular health monitoring

Clinical Signs Summary

1. High fever (lasts 5-8 days)
2. Nasal discharge (serous → mucopurulent → crusty)
3. Eye inflammation (purulent conjunctivitis)
4. Oral lesions (necrotic stomatitis, ulcers)
5. Diarrhea (watery, causes dehydration)
6. Pneumonia (in later stages)
7. Weight loss (progressive)
8. Depression and weakness

Prognosis

Without treatment and vaccination:

• Young animals (4-8 months): High mortality rate
• Adult animals: Better survival rate but significant production losses
• Goats: More severely affected than sheep

With proper vaccination and management:

• Excellent prevention
• Reduced morbidity in outbreaks
• Improved recovery rates

Reporting

PPR is a notifiable disease. If you suspect your animals have this disease, contact your veterinarian and local agricultural authorities immediately.

Key Takeaways

• PPR is a serious viral disease of small ruminants
• Goats are more susceptible than sheep
• Young animals are at highest risk
• Vaccination is highly effective
• Early detection and isolation are crucial
• Supportive care improves outcomes
• Biosecurity measures are essential for prevention