PPRV

PPRV, short for peste des petits ruminants virus, is a member of the genus Morbillivirus in the family Paramyxoviridae. It causes the disease Peste des petits ruminants (PPR), a highly contagious viral illness primarily affecting small ruminants. The virus is enveloped and has a negative-sense single-stranded RNA genome of about 15 kilobases, encoding six structural proteins: N, P, M, F, H, and L.

Hosts and disease: PPRV mainly infects domestic goats and sheep, with deer, gazelles, and other wild small ruminants occasionally susceptible. In naïve populations, the disease produces high morbidity and variable mortality. Clinical signs include fever, depression, nasal and ocular discharge, stomatitis with oral erosions, diarrhea, dehydration, and pneumonia. Abortion can occur in pregnant animals.

Transmission and pathogenesis: The virus spreads through direct contact with secretions and aerosols, as well as contaminated equipment and environment. Infected animals shed virus for days to weeks, facilitating rapid spread within a flock.

Diagnosis: Laboratory confirmation relies on RT-PCR or virus isolation from blood, nasal or conjunctival swabs, and tissue samples. Antigen detection and serology (ELISA) are used for surveillance and to assess exposure. Differential diagnoses include other viral diseases of small ruminants and enterotoxemias.

Vaccination and control: Live attenuated vaccines (notably strains such as Nigeria 75/1 and Kenya 95/1) confer long-lasting protection across major lineages. Control relies on vaccination campaigns, active surveillance, and movement controls. DIVA (differentiating infected from vaccinated animals) vaccines are under development, but standard vaccines do not readily allow this distinction.

Epidemiology and status: PPR is endemic in much of Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. Global control efforts under the FAO-WOAH PPR Global Control and Eradication Programme aim for regional and eventual global eradication through sustained vaccination, surveillance, and management of outbreaks.