Peste Des Petits Ruminants in the Middle East: Epidemiological Situation and Status of Control and Eradication Activities after the First Phase of the PPR Global Eradication Program (2017–2021)

Abstract

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a burdensome viral disease primarily affecting small ruminants, which is currently targeted for eradication by 2030 through the implementation of a Global Control and Eradication Strategy (PPR GCES). The PPR GCES, launched in 2015, has strongly encouraged countries to participate in Regional PPR Roadmaps, designated according to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) regions and epidemiological considerations, with each targeted by dedicated meetings and activities. Following the conclusion of the first phase of the PPR Global Eradication Program (PPR GEP) (2017–2021), the present work focuses on the disease situation and status of the eradication campaign in the fourteen countries of the PPR GCES Middle Eastern Roadmap as well as Egypt. PPR is endemic to or suspected to be present in most of the region, except for Bahrain, which, as of 2021, is preparing to apply for official recognition as being free of PPR. Some substantial shortcomings are observed in surveillance and disease reporting, as well as in the implemented control strategies, most notably vaccination. Since many of these limitations are shared by many of the investigated countries, the international cooperation and harmonization of control efforts appears crucial to making PPR eradication attainable in the Middle East.

Modeling for Smart Vaccination against Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

“…In naïve populations of sheep and goats, morbidity and mortality can be greater than 90% [12]. The UAE is currently at the eradication stage (3) of the five stages of the progressive stepwise approach for the prevention and control of PPR [7]. Thus, it is necessary to efficiently utilize all available resources to accelerate efforts to effectively control and eradicate the disease from the country [13].…”

“…The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) released a strategy in 2015 aiming for global eradication of PPR by 2030. The strategy adopted mass vaccination against the disease [5][6][7].…”

The Live Attenuated Vaccine Strain “ARRIAH” Completely Protects Goats from a Virulent Lineage IV Field Strain of Peste Des Petits Ruminants Virus

“…The most efficient way to combat PPRV is mass vaccination. Several live attenuated vaccines have been developed and recommended for PPRV control worldwide [ 19 ]. Although the most extensively used and WOAH-endorsed vaccine is the Nigeria75/1 strain belonging to lineage II cluster [ 20 ], some countries opt for local strains to prepare a vaccine and administer it locally, provided their potency and efficacy are demonstrated [ 21 ].…”

Epidemiological investigation of Peste des Petits Ruminants in Bahrain

“…Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a major transboundary animal disease that causes significant direct and indirect economic losses due to high moralities and impairment of livestock trading [1][2][3]. PPR is an acute viral disease that affects mainly domesticated and wild small ruminants.…”