PPR (PESTE DES PETITS RUMINANTS) DISEASE IN GOATS
Dr. Rashmi1, Dr. Hemlata Chouhan2
1.Assistant Professor, Depatment of Veterinary Pathology
2.Assistant Professor,Depatment of Animal Genetics And Breeding
College of Veteteinary and Animal Science, Jodhpur (RAJUVAS)
Abstract
Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is an acute or subacute viral disease of goats and sheep characterized by fever, necrotic stomatitis, gastroenteritis, pneumonia, and sometimes death. It was reported first in Côte d’Ivoire (the Ivory Coast) in 1942, and subsequently in other parts of West Africa. Goats and sheep appear to be equally susceptible to the virus, however, goats exhibit more severe clinical signs. The virus also affects several wild small ruminant species. Cattle, buffalo, and pigs are only subclinically infected. Humans are not at risk.
Key words: Peste des petits ruminants (PPR), Goat.
Introduction
Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is an acute viral disease of goats characterised by fever, oculo-nasal discharges, stomatitis, diarrhoea and pneumonia with foul offensive breath. Because of the respiratory signs, PPRcan be confused with contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) or pasteurellosis. Once the disease comes, it causes heavy mortality and morbidity in goats affecting entire flock leading to severe economic losses to goat farmers.
Comman names: Goat plague, Ovine rinderpest, plague of small ruminants, Kata
Cause: PPR virus belongs to Morbillivirus genus of family Paramyxoviridae
Transmission:
- By close contact in goat herd/flock
- The virus is present in ocular, nasal, and oral secretions as well as feces.
- Inhalation of aerosols from sneezing and coughing animals.
Clinical signs:
The incubation period is 4–6 days, High fever (41°C/1060 F), erosive stomatitis, conjunctivitis, gastroenteritis, and pneumonia, dry muzzle, oculo-nasal discharges, Watery blood-stained diarrhea, Erosions-small pin-point red-greyish areas on the gums, dental pad, palate, lips, inner aspects of the cheeks and upper surface of the tongue, Eye, nose and mouth discharges with scabs or nodules around the mouth, Death usually occurs 4–6 days after the onset of fever, High morbidity (up to 100%) and up to 90% mortality.
Fig:1 This photos showing oculonasal discharges and matting of eyelids(a) diarrhea soiling the perineum(b) submandibular odema(c) and nodules on the gums and tongue
Post mortem findings:
Prominent crusty scabs along the outer lips and severe congestion of lungs due to interstitial pneumonia, Erosive lesions may extend from the mouth to the reticulo–rumen junction, Erosive or haemorrhagic enteritis, Peyer’s patches may be necrotic, Lymph nodes are enlarged, and the spleen and liver may show necrotic lesions.
Fig:2 This gross photography showing haemorrhages in the intestines(a) and pneumonia in lungs(b)
Diagnosis
A tentative diagnosis of PPR infection can be made based on characteristic signs like mucopurulent nasal discharge, pneumonia, diarrhea, scaby lesions on tongue, around mouth and death of many animals in flock should be suspected of PPR.
Samples to be sent for diagnosis of PPR:
- Swabs of the eyes, nasal, mouth, tongue and rectal discharges.
- Whole blood in heparin or EDTA.
- Post mortem: Mesenteric and bronchial lymph nodes, spleen, large intestine and lungs.
- Samples of lungs, lymph nodes, intestinefor histopathology should be collected in 10% neutral buffered formalin
- These samples should be labelled with the history and transported in icepack/ chilled condition to laboratory for virus isolation and detection to confirm the disease.
Treatment:
Only supportive treatment to counteract secondary bacterial infection. One course of antibiotics (Ceftriaxone, Gentamycin), 5% dextrose, Multivitamins, Meloxicam can be given in affected animals.
Control:
Farm Disinfection: PPR virus can be killed by most common Disinfectants-Phenols, Sodium hydroxide.
2% Vaccination:
- Live attenuated PPR vaccine is available.
- Names: PPR vaccine, Raksha PPR.
- Availability: 100 and 50 doses with diluent and freeze dried vaccine vials.
- Dose: 1 ml.
- Age group: 3 months’ kids.
- Route: Subcutaneous route.
- Immunity: 3 years
Conclusion
Peste-des-Petits Ruminants is one of the most important economical diseases in world, since it had been confirmed in goats in 1991. The epidemiology of the disease is much more complex than previously thought with added differences in pathogenicity and virulence. In a particular flock, the risk of outbreak is greatly increased when a new stock is introduced or when animals are returned unsold from livestock market. Other disease that cause diarrhea, or pneumonia may pose a diagnostic challenge but a history of recent introduction of new stock and the clinical and postmortem findings of stomatitis, enteritis and pneumonia are typical for PPR.
References
Abera, M. (2023). Review on Pest Des Petits Ruminants Virus and its Socioeconomic Impact in Small Ruminants. Journal ISSN, 2766, 2276.
Fentahun, T., & Woldie, M. (2012). Reviewon Peste Des Petits Ruminants (PPR). European Journal of Applied Sciences, 4(4), 160-167.
Saliki Jeremiah T. MSD veterinary manual peste des petitis ruminants, DVM, PhD, DACVM (Reviewed/Revised Jun 2023) avialable at https://www.msdvetmanual.com › generalized conditions.
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ur Rahman, A., Mirani, A. H., Khan, M., Bukero, A. H., Rahman, I. U., Ibrahim, M., … & Solangi, N. A. (2024). Peste Des Petits Ruminants: A Major Threat to Small Ruminant Health and Production. Journal of Survey in Fisheries Sciences, 15-20.
