Ovine progressive pneumonia (Maedi-Visna): an emerging respiratory disease of sheep in Ethiopia

A serological study was done to assess the role of Maedi-Visna (MV) infection in sheep from flocks with high respiratory tract disease morbidity in Ethiopia. Of 105 sheep examined from central Ethiopia 78 (74%) were positive for MV-infection. However, antibodies to the virus were not detected in 48 sheep and 70 goats from elsewhere in Ethiopia. The infection was detected in all breeds of sheep examined (Awassi, Hampshire, Corriedale, indigenous Menz breeds and their crosses) but with a significant breed difference (chi 2 = 20, p < 0.001) varying from 48% in imported Awassi sheep to 92% in the indigenous Menz sheep. This suggests that Menz sheep are more susceptible to infection, which may support the observation of a higher incidence of clinical disease in these sheep compared to exotic breeds and their crosses. It also supports recent studies indicating that MV is becoming one of the most important respiratory tract diseases in sheep in central Ethiopia. Our findings indicate that MV was introduced into Ethiopia via sheep imported into the central highlands and that it now constitutes an important emerging disease is discussed. Measures to control the disease are suggested.     

Clinical and Para‐clinical Findings of a Recent Outbreaks of Peste des Petits Ruminants in Iran

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious and infectious viral disease of domestic and wild small ruminants characterized by fever, erosive stomatitis, conjunctivitis, gastroenteritis and pneumonia. Goats are usually more severely affected than sheep. Peste des petits ruminants is caused by a paramyxovirus of the Morbillivirus genus. In March 2004, a flock of sheep in Tehran province with 430 deaths was visited. According to the history taken from the owner, at disease onset most of the deaths were recorded from adult sheep, 3 weeks later lambs (2 weeks to 4 months of age) showed the highest death rate. All animals from 3 months age received rinderpest vaccine 1 month after onset. Many of the lambs died just a few hours after their first sucking of the colostrum from infected mothers. Most of them showed very acute form of disease and died a few hours after onset of clinical signs. In clinical examinations most of the cases showed severe depression, high fever (41°C), anorexia, mocopulurent nasal discharge, erosive and necrotic stomatitis (dental path, hard palate and cheeks), diarrhoea and dehydration. Para‐clinical findings including histopathological, serological and haematological examinations also confirmed the presence of PPR in this flock. PPR outbreaks have been frequent in Iran in recent years. Further, we suggest that PPR is not a recent invader of Iran. The main difference in clinical signs between this outbreak and the same in other reports is that goats did not show any obvious signs of PPR. This might be due to the number of the goats (>1% of the flock) and keeping them separate from the sheep. The present article reviews the details of this outbreak in Iran.     

Clinical and Para-clinical Findings of a Recent Outbreaks of Peste des Petits Ruminants in Iran

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious and infectious viral disease of domestic and wild small ruminants characterized by fever, erosive stomatitis, conjunctivitis, gastroenteritis and pneumonia. Goats are usually more severely affected than sheep. Peste des petits ruminants is caused by a paramyxovirus of the Morbillivirus genus. In March 2004, a flock of sheep in Tehran province with 430 deaths was visited. According to the history taken from the owner, at disease onset most of the deaths were recorded from adult sheep, 3 weeks later lambs (2 weeks to 4 months of age) showed the highest death rate. All animals from 3 months age received rinderpest vaccine 1 month after onset. Many of the lambs died just a few hours after their first sucking of the colostrum from infected mothers. Most of them showed very acute form of disease and died a few hours after onset of clinical signs. In clinical examinations most of the cases showed severe depression, high fever (41 degrees C), anorexia, mocopulurent nasal discharge, erosive and necrotic stomatitis (dental path, hard palate and cheeks), diarrhoea and dehydration. Para-clinical findings including histopathological, serological and haematological examinations also confirmed the presence of PPR in this flock. PPR outbreaks have been frequent in Iran in recent years. Further, we suggest that PPR is not a recent invader of Iran. The main difference in clinical signs between this outbreak and the same in other reports is that goats did not show any obvious signs of PPR. This might be due to the number of the goats (>1% of the flock) and keeping them separate from the sheep. The present article reviews the details of this outbreak in Iran.     

Economics of Prophylaxis against Peste des Petits Ruminants and Gastrointestinal Helminthosis in Small Ruminants in North Cameroon

Data on reproduction and mortality were collected over one year from 5100 sheep and 13 300 goats in treated and control flocks. The treated animals received vaccination against peste des petits ruminants (PPR) and anthelmintics twice a year. Productivity parameters (fecundity and mortality rates) obtained with and without prophylaxis were fitted into a benefit–cost economic analysis model and run for project lifespans varying from one to five years. At a 7% discount rate, the overall benefits for a project lifespan of five years were estimated as over 15 million FCFA and 11 million FCFA for sheep and goats, respectively. The benefit–cost ratio ranged from 2.26 to 3.27 in goats and 3.01 to 4.23 in sheep, depending on the project lifespan. It was concluded that PPR and gastrointestinal helminthosis are important causes of economic losses in small ruminants in Cameroon. A national or even a regional vaccination campaign against PPR and strategic anthelmintic treatment of small ruminants are recommended.     

Peste des petitis ruminants morbillivirus infection in lambs and young goats at Qassim region, Saudi Arabia

An outbreak of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) in lambs and young goats of Najdi breed of sheep and goats occurred during winter 2005 at Qassim region of central Saudi Arabia. The PPR infection was confirmed by demonstration of antibodies against the virus in the serum of clinically-ill young sheep and goats using competitive ELISA test. Clinical examination of infected animals showed fever, salivation, lacrimation, mucopurulent nasal discharge, difficult breathing and diarrhoea. The disease was particularly severe in the goats. Morbidity was about 20% and mortality was less than 3 percent. Autopsy showed necrotic and ulcerative lesions in the mouth, stomach and intestine. Mesenteric lymph nodes were swollen and congested. The lungs were patchy pneumonic mostly at the diaphragmatic and apical lobes. Liver and kidney lesions were seen in goats only and both organs were congested and necrotic. Histopathological examination revealed necrotic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Intracytoplasmic viral inclusions were seen in the enterocytes of goats. Lung sections showed bronchopneumonia and syncytial and giant cells. The bronchial epithelium of goats had intracytoplasmic viral inclusions. Extensive coagulation necrosis, fatty degeneration and presence of intracytoplasmic viral inclusions were seen in hepatocytes and syncytial cells were evident in biliary epithelium of goats. Congestion, coagulation necrosis and syncytial cells were seen in the renal tubular epithelium of goats only. In a survey to determine the magnitude of the outbreak, PPR antibodies were evidenced in 363/996 (36.6%) sheep and 530/962 (55.1%) goats.     

Field observations during the Bluetongue serotype 8 epidemic in 2006. II. Morbidity and mortality rate, case fatality and clinical recovery in sheep and cattle in the Netherlands

Data collected in the Netherlands during the Bluetongue serotype 8 (BTV-8) epidemic indicated that in outbreak cattle herds, predominantly dairy and nursing cows were clinically affected and not young stock, beef cattle, beef calves, or breeding animals. In outbreak sheep flocks, mainly ewes and - if present - rams, were clinically affected and not the lambs. Median morbidity rate in outbreak herds was 1.85 per 100 sheep-month at risk and 0.32 per 100 cattle-month at risk for sheep and cattle, respectively. The mean proportion of BT-affected animals in outbreak herds that recovered from clinical disease was approximately eight times higher for cattle compared to sheep in the Netherlands. Median mortality rate in outbreak herds was 0.5 per 100 sheep-month at risk of dying and 0 per 100 cattle-month at risk of dying for sheep and cattle, respectively. Median recovery time of both sheep and cattle that recovered from clinical disease in outbreak herds was 14 days. Median case fatality was 50% in sheep outbreak flocks and 0% in outbreak cattle herds. It is concluded that morbidity and mortality in outbreak cattle herds was very limited during the BTV-8 epidemic in the Netherlands in 2006. In outbreak sheep flocks, morbidity was limited, with exceptions for a few flocks. However, almost 50% of the clinically sick sheep died in outbreak sheep herds.     

小反刍兽疫疫苗研究进展

小反刍兽疫是由小反刍兽疫病毒引起的一种严重的烈性、接触性重大跨国动物疫病.目前,该病在我国已经发生,给我国畜牧业经济造成了巨大损失.同多数病毒性疾病的防制相同,对小反刍兽疫PPRS的防制仍以疫苗免疫预防为主.文章对小反刍兽疫的各类疫苗进行综述,以期为疫苗的合理应用提供技术帮助.     

The Extent and Impact of Sheep Pox and Goat Pox in the State of Maharashtra,India

A survey of sheep and goat producers in the state of Maharashtra, India, was undertaken to ascertain the extent and economic impact of sheep pox and goat pox (SGP). One thousand one hundred and sixteen owners were interviewed. Eighty owners (7.2%) reported that they had experienced an outbreak of the disease in the previous 6 years. The results showed that, while producers ranked SGP below other infectious diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, rinderpest and enterotoxaemia, when SGP occurred it had a major impact, with average morbidity and mortality rates of 63.5% and 49.5%, respectively. Modelling studies suggested it would take about 6 years for a flock or herd to recover from an outbreak, with average annual losses in income of 30–43%, depending on flock type and the owner's actions. Statewide, it is estimated that around 5000 flocks and herds are affected by SGP annually in Maharashtra, costing up to INR 107.5 million. The highest losses occurred in the Aurangabad region.     

Recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Ivory Coast]

An outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) due to SAT2 occurred among cattle, sheep and pigs in C?te-d'Ivoire. The morbidity and mortality were low so vaccination of only high value livestock in intensive production systems was suggested.     

贵州山区小反刍兽疫综合防控措施

小反刍兽疫又被称为羊瘟或伪牛瘟,是小反刍兽疫病毒引起的山羊及绵羊的一种急性接触性传染病,以发热、口炎、腹泻、肺炎为特征,该病发病率和病死率均较高,严重阻碍畜牧业高质量发展,研究该病的诊断及防控有着十分重要的意义。本文从该病的流行病学、临床症状、病理变化、实验室诊断方法以及综合防控措施等方面进行阐述,为广大养殖户提供参考。     

小反刍兽疫的诊断与综合防控措施

小反刍兽疫是由小反刍兽疫病毒引起的一种急性、亚急性传染性疾病,主要感染绵羊、山羊及一些野生小反刍动物,发病率和死亡率均较高,给广大农牧民和养殖场造成巨大的经济损失。因此,对该病的诊断及综合防控措施进行概述,以期为该病的防控提供参考。     

Prevalence of antibodies to peste des petits ruminants virus before and during outbreaks of the disease in Awash Fentale district, Afar, Ethiopia

The present study was conducted to assess the seroprevalence of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) in sheep and goats in Awash Fentale district, Afar, Ethiopia. Small ruminants in the district had poor herd immunity at the first visit and succumb to the disease then after. The seroprevalence during the time of an outbreak was much higher compared with the initial levels: 7.3% and 42.6% in sheep and goats, respectively. The higher seroprevalence figure in goats was suggestive of their relative susceptibility to PPR compared with sheep.     

A Review on Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) with Special Reference to PPR in Iran

In 1995, a peste des petits ruminants (PPR) outbreak was diagnosed in Ilam province in Iran near the border with Iraq both serologically and virologically. As then, despite all control measures, PPR has been identified in the whole country and has led to costs of at least US$1.5 million to the Iranian owners of sheep and goats.     

Antibody seroprevalences against peste des petits ruminants (PPR) virus in camels, cattle, goats and sheep in Ethiopia

A questionnaire-survey data indicated that 26% of 276 farmers reported the presence of respiratory disease in their herds in 2001. The incidence was perceived as "high" in small ruminants and camels, but as "low" in cattle. Simultaneously, 2815 serum samples from camels (n=628), cattle (n=910), goats (n=442) and sheep (n=835) were tested. The peste des petits ruminants (PPR) antibody seroprevalence was 3% in camels, 9% in cattle, 9% in goats and 13% in sheep. The highest locality-specific seroprevalences were: camels 10%, cattle 16%, goats 22% and sheep 23%. The animals had not been vaccinated against rinderpest or PPR. Antibody seroprevalences detected in camels, cattle, goats and sheep confirmed natural transmission of PPR virus under field conditions.     

Risk factors for mortality associated with respiratory disease among Menz and Horro sheep in Ethiopia

A retrospective case-control study was conducted on 6718 sheep of two breeds (2772 Horro and 3946 Menz) on risk factors for mortality associated with respiratory disease (MARD) in Ethiopia, based on data collected between October 1993 and December 1997. Potential risk factors examined were breed, gender, age, month, and air temperatures.Fifty-four per cent of total deaths in the flock could be attributed to respiratory disease and the annual MARD rate ranged between 6.3 and 19.0%. There was significant breed (P<0.0001) and gender (P<0.0001) difference in MARD. The Horro breed had a higher (P<0.0001) annual MARD than the Menz breed (16.5+/-0.18 vs. 12.4+/-0.15%). A higher (P<0.0001) proportion of males suffered than females (15.1+/-0.23% vs. 13.8+/-0.13%). Age was also an important risk factor for MARD: there was a strong polynomial relationship (R(2)=0.91, P<0.0001) between MARD and age; the risk of being young if a sheep was a MARD case was high. MARD was high between October and March but relatively low between the months of April and September. There was a significant (P<0.05) negative cubic relationship (R(2)=0.49) between monthly MARD and monthly average minimum air temperatures. There was also a significant (P<0.01) positive exponential relationship (R(2)=0.61) between monthly MARD and average monthly daily deviation between maximum and minimum air temperatures.Timely health and management interventions focusing on these factors are necessary to alleviate losses from MARD. Understanding variations in MARD risk within a population can enhance early response to potential outbreaks, reducing losses.     

The effects of PPR on the reproductive health of Black Bengal goats and the possible role played by oxidative stress

Outbreaks of Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) viral disease in Black Bengal goats were investigated from the middle Indo-Gangetic Plains of India. Clinical profile of PPR-affected flocks was recorded from four different outbreak sites of the region. The PPR outbreak was diagnosed serologically using commercially available sandwich ELISA kit. Relatively, low mortality rate (mean 26.75%) for PPR outbreak was recorded due to the endemic status of the disease. To understand the role of oxidative stress in PPR virus pathogenesis, various oxidant and antioxidant parameters in goats infected with PPR were estimated and compared with the uninfected/healthy goats of the same flock. The measured high level of pro-oxidant malondialdehyde (MDA) obtained from lipid peroxidation along with lower levels of anti-oxidants viz. superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) in PPR-affected Black Bengal goats suggests oxidative stress as one of the mechanism of pathogenesis of PPR virus. In addition, the correlation of oxidative stress due to PPR and the resulting reproductive disorders in the female goats were evaluated. The abortion in pregnant does observed during PPR outbreak was proportional to debility and oxidative stress manifested during PPR infection. The reproductive performance of recovered female goats in the period of 18 months of monitoring was significantly compromised in terms of kidding and twinning frequency. The mortality rate in kids born from PPR-recovered goats was significantly higher compared to those from health goats in the first 9 months post-recovery. From the present study, it may be concluded that together with the PPR virus, infection in goats and the resulting oxidative stress play a vital role for abortion and reduced post-reproductive performance in Black Bengal female goat.     

An outbreak of bluetongue in sheep in the Sudan

An outbreak of bluetongue and the first isolation of the virus in the Sudan are reported. The disease occurred in sheep stressed by walking for five days when biting arthropods were prevalent. Estimates of the morbidity and mortality rates ranged from about 30 per cent and 2 per cent respectively in adult sheep to around 80 per cent and 100 per cent respectively in lambs. The virus was isolated by the inoculation of suckling mice and embryonated eggs with whole blood from febrile sheep. In a gel precipitation test it reacted with specific antiserum to type 10 BT8 strain. No other agent was isolated. Given the relatively mild nature of bluetongue in indigenous sheep, it is believed that the long walking stress coupled with exposure to sunlight might have aggravated the severity of the disease in this particular outbreak.     

Experimental infection of alpine goats with a Moroccan strain of peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV)

Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) recently caused a serious outbreak of disease in Moroccan sheep and goats. Alpine goats were highly susceptible to PPRV with mortality rates approaching 100%, as opposed to local breeds of sheep which were less susceptible to the disease. The relative susceptibility of alpine goats was investigated through an experimental infection study with the Moroccan strain of PPRV. Severe clinical signs were observed in the alpine goats with virus being excreted through ocular, nasal and oral routes. No difference in the severity of the disease in goats was observed with different inoculation routes and transmission of the virus by direct contact was confirmed. This study confirmed the susceptibility of the alpine goat to PPRV infection and describes a challenge protocol that effectively and consistently reproduced severe clinical signs of PPR in experimentally infected goats.     

Sero-epidemiology of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) in Pakistan

A sero survey was conducted during 2005-2006 to estimate the sero prevalence of PPR in the small ruminant population of Pakistan. A total of 2798 samples were collected including goats (1979) and sheep (819) from villages in 27 randomly selected districts. These were tested by cELISA for PPRV and true prevalence estimates were calculated by Rogan and Gladen estimator. Overall, 1273 (45.5%) were found positive; 980 (49.5%) of 1979 samples from goats and 293 (35.8%) of 819 serum samples from sheep were positive. The true sero-prevalence of PPR was estimated to be 48.5% (95% CI, 46.6-50.3), and 52.9% (95% CI, 50.7-55.1) and 37.7 (95% CI, 34.4-41.0) for goats and sheep, respectively. PPR virus is widely distributed all across Pakistan and has become an endemic infection of small ruminants. Since it is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in small ruminants, it poses a serious threat to food security and the rural economy in Pakistan.     

Prevalence and mortality rate of peste des petitis ruminant (ppr): possible association with abortion in goat

Present study was designed to investigate the prevalence and mortality (%) caused by Peste des Petitis Ruminant (PPR) and its possible association with abortion in goat flocks at different areas of Pakistan. A total of 140 animals were samples in the population of 650 which was having 185 deaths (Mortality rate = 28 %) from three different regions of the country. There were 58 abortions in the 140 pregnant goats of above said population One hundred & ten (110) serum samples from diseased, recovered and apparently healthy animals were tested for the presence of PPR antibodies by competitive ELISA (c ELISA). Eighty-four (84) animals were positive for PPR antibodies whereas in apparently healthy adult goats in the same flock, no PPR antibodies were detected. Twenty-four (24) tissue samples collected from the dead animals and six samples from aborted fetus were tested for the presence of PPR antigen by Immuno-capture ELISA (Ic ELISA). Nineteen (19) out of thirty (30) organ samples mainly from lung, spleen, lymph node were found positive for PPR antigen but negative from lungs of aborted fetus. There was a high rate of abortions (28–45 %) in each of the outbreak and it was highest in the outbreak of Golra Sharif, Islamabad (No. = 21 in total population of 100). As the serum samples from the aborted dams were found positive for PPR antibodies so the study provides the possible association of mortality and prevalence of PPR disease with high rate of abortions in goat.