What is Peste des Petits Ruminants?
PPR is highly contagious disease of goats and sheep, with high mortality in herds. Humans do not get sick but they play important role in early detection of the disease.
PPR HAS NO CURE!
If disease enters in your herd, it will probably affect all the animals which can be followed by high mortality up to 90%. The disease can cause major economic losses for farmers and consequences for entire country’s economy.
WAYS OF TRANSMISSION
The most important ways of transmission are:
• Direct and close contact between susceptible and infected animals.
• Inhalation of particles released into the air when infected animals cough and sneeze.
• The other possibility is indirect transmission through water, food or bedding, contaminated by tears, nasal secretions, coughing and feces of infected animals.
WHAT ARE THE CLINICAL SIGNS OF THE DISEASE?
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR ANIMALS?
Clinical symptoms can range from mild to severe, depending on the host, its immune status, age and breed, virus strain.
• Fever.
• Weakness and loss of appetite
• Sores and swelling in the mouth.
• Lesions on the mouth, cheeks and tongue.
• Clear to yellow nasal secretions and discharge from the eyes.
• Diarrhoea, dehydration and weight loss.
• Difficulty breathing (pneumonia).
• Abortion
• Death in 5 to 10 days.
Compliance with veterinary legislation and good biosecurity measures, animal identification, movement control and quarantine are the most reliable way to prevent the entrance of the PPR virus into goat and sheep farms.
• Respecting and implementing strick biosecurity measures.
• Buying animals from registered and aprooved sources, followed by proper health certificate.
• Properly Identification and registration of animals on your farm as the current Law prescribes.
• Maintain clean and disinfected environment.
• Keeping different species in separated objects. Control animal movement!
• Keeping visitors away from your livestock.
• Immediately notify the Veterinary Authorities if you notice any unusual clinical signs, including death in animals.