Large scale outbreaks of peste des petits ruminants in sheep and goats in thar desert of India
2007
Kataria, A. K., Rajasthan Agriculture University, Bikaner (India)
Severe peste des petits ruminants (PPR) outbreaks were recorded in Thar desert of Rajasthan state (India) affecting large population of sheep and goats over a huge geographical area, taking a toll in tens of thousands of animals. These outbreaks were investigated for epidemiological, clinical, pathological, haematological and biochemical features. The outbreaks started in migratory sheep which returned back from adjacent PPR endemic areas and later spread to goats with estimated case fatality rates of 70% and 80%, respectively. Younger animals were more affected than the adult ones. The stress of migration coupled with low environmental temperatures bolstered by humidity and nutritional deficiency was the reason of precipitation of the disease. Typical clinical and pathological findings were recorded and significant (P/-0.05) changes were observed in most of the haemato-biochemical parameters. The free-range grazing system had been responsible for the involvements of larger number of flocks in distant areas with prevalence for longer duration. The disease waned with increase in the environmental temperatures. The present situation warrants strict sero-surveillance and monitoring of PPR together with uninterrupted vaccination of migratory flocks at district or state borders for its effective control.
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