Review of Peste des Petits Ruminants Occurrence and Spread in Tanzania

Abstract

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is an important transboundary animal disease of domestic small ruminants, camels, and wild artiodactyls. The disease has significant socio-economic impact on communities that depend on livestock for their livelihood and is a threat to endangered susceptible wild species. The aim of this review was to describe the introduction of PPR to Tanzania and its subsequent spread to different parts of the country. On-line databases were searched for peer-reviewed and grey literature, formal and informal reports were obtained from Tanzanian Zonal Veterinary Investigation Centres and Laboratories, and Veterinary Officers involved with PPR surveillance were contacted. PPR virus (PPRV) was confirmed in northern Tanzania in 2008, although serological data from samples collected in the region in 1998 and 2004, and evidence that the virus was already circulating in Uganda in 2003, suggests that PPRV might have been present earlier than this. It is likely that the virus which became established in Tanzania was introduced from Kenya between 2006–7 through the cross-border movement of small ruminants for trade or grazing resources, and then spread to eastern, central, and southern Tanzania from 2008 to 2010 through movement of small ruminants by pastoralists and traders. There was no evidence of PPRV sero-conversion in wildlife based on sera collected up to 2012, suggesting that they did not play a vectoring or bridging role in the establishment of PPRV in Tanzania. PPRV lineages II, III and IV have been detected, indicating that there have been several virus introductions. PPRV is now considered to be endemic in sheep and goats in Tanzania, but there has been no evidence of PPR clinical disease in wildlife species in Tanzania, although serum samples collected in 2014 from several wild ruminant species were PPRV sero-positive. Similarly, no PPR disease has been observed in cattle and camels. In these atypical hosts, serological evidence indicates exposure to PPRV infection, most likely through spillover from infected sheep and goats. Some of the challenges for PPRV eradication in Tanzania include movements of small ruminants, including transboundary movements, and the capacity of veterinary services for disease surveillance and vaccination. Using wildlife and atypical domestic hosts for PPR surveillance is a useful indicator of endemism and the ongoing circulation of PPRV in livestock, especially during the implementation of vaccination to control or eliminate the disease in sheep and goats. PPR disease has a major socio-economic impact in Tanzania, which justifies the investment in a comprehensive PPRV eradication programme.

Spatio‐temporal cluster analysis and transmission drivers for Peste des Petits Ruminants in Uganda

“…In this cattle corridor, the majority of the famers communally graze their livestock, resulting into flock congregation which increases the likelihood of PPRV transmission. The observed PPR outbreak pattern is consistent with what has been reported in other East African countries with similar production systems (Mdetele et al., 2021). Over 50% and 17% of the national sheep and goat population respectively are kept in the 9 districts of Karamoja region (MAAIF & UBOS, 2009).…”

Data Synthesis Technique for Categorical Pestes Des Petits Ruminants (PPR) Data Using CTGAN Model

“…The disease affects herds instantly after one of the animals gets infected. Current means to combat it are through vaccines which shows a good seroconversion rate of 98% but endless interactions with unvaccinated animals or wild animals causes the endemic disease to erupt again (Mdetele, et al, 2021).…”

“…Sheep and goats are an important source of nutrition and income to smallholder famers, notably rural women and children, especially in tropical Africa. One of the major factors affecting efficient sheep and goats' production is the presence of high impact transboundary animal diseases (TADs) (Mdetele, et al, 2021). Among the deadliest diseases of sheep and goats is the Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR).…”

“…Among the deadliest diseases of sheep and goats is the Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR). The presence of this disease is a major obstacle to the development of the livestock industry because of its adverse effects on production, productivity and on trade of animals and animal products into lucrative export markets (Mdetele et al, 2021). This disease is presented clinically with difficulty in breathing and coughing, hence termed as a respiratory disease of small ruminants.…”

Development of Nanobodies Targeting Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus: The Prospect in Disease Diagnosis and Therapy

“…Multiple wildlife and atypical host species can be infected with PPRV, which poses diagnostic challenges in multi-host system testing [ 3 , 15 , 16 ]. Commercially available serological and molecular diagnostic tools to detect PPRV infection were mainly developed for domestic sheep and goats [ 17 , 18 , 19 ].…”