Seroprevalence and risk factors for peste des petits ruminants in goats and sheep in selected districts of Tanzania

Abstract

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious and devastating viral disease of goats and sheep caused by Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV). Despite of its impact on the livelihood of rural African communities, insufficient epidemiological information hampers the implementation of effective PPR control strategies. This study was carried out to determine seroprevalence and risk factors for PPR infection in sheep and goats in Longido, Simanjiro, Ngorongoro, Monduli, Kongwa and Mlele districts using a competitive Enzyme–Linked Immunosorbent Assay and questionnaire to detect PPR antibodies, and to collect information related to the potential risk factors for PPR respectively. A total of 583 serum samples from sheep (n=248), and goats (n=335), and 40 households were involved in questionnare. This study confirmed presence of antibodies to PPRV in sheep and goats in all districts studied; and identified management systems related to movement control to be an important risk factor for the spread of PPR. The results suggest that controlling animal movement and limiting interaction with wildlife could PPR transmission