Ovine rinderpest

The peste des petits ruminants ( Pseudorinderpest, Peste des petits ruminants ) is an abundant, especially in Africa viral disease of small ruminants (sheep and goats). It is a notifiable disease.

In Europe, no cases were observed, but there are regular outbreaks since 1999 in Turkey, so that the danger of the introduction is. 2007, the first cases in China were found. In the summer of 2008, many cases of the disease were observed for the first time in Morocco. This means that the natural barrier does not protect in the form of the Sahara.

Pathogen

The causative agent of peste des petits ruminants is the Peste des petits ruminants virus ( PPRV ) in the genus Morbillivirus. Antigens table it is closely related to the rinderpest.

Transmission is by direct or indirect contact with virus- contaminated excreta of infected animals.

Clinical picture

The disease resembles largely the rinderpest. The incubation period is about five days. The disease begins with fever and loss of appetite. Soon after, a necrotic inflammation of the oral mucosa, nasal and eye discharge and diarrhea finally a strong form.

The plague of small ruminants usually runs more dramatic than in sheep and in goats leads at about 90 % of the goat kids to death. The general mortality rate varies between 10 and 90 %. In cattle, the virus triggers a subclinical disease.

Diagnosis

In endemic areas can be found due to the clinical picture is already a tentative diagnosis. It needs to be confirmed by the isolation and detection of the virus or due to an increase of antibodies in the serum. From the rinderpest virus it can be distinguished by a cross-neutralization test.

Combat

The plague of small ruminants as rinderpest notifiable. Outside of endemic areas no treatments are made, but killed infected animals. A specific vaccine does not exist. In the endemic areas of West Africa, however Rinderpestimpfstoffe be used with success.