Presentation made by *E. A. Muse, *R.B. Matondo, *E.D. Karimuribo, *G. Misinzo, *L.S.B. Mellau, *P.L.M. Msoffe, ‡M.O. Albano and † G.C. Gitao at the biennial Conference 2012

1. Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR)
outbreak in southern, Tanzania
*E. A. Muse, *R.B. Matondo, *E.D.
Karimuribo, *G. Misinzo, *L.S.B. Mellau, *P.L.M.
Msoffe, ‡M.O. Albano and † G.C. Gitao
*Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA)
† University of Nairobi (UoN)
‡ Veterinary Investigation Centres (VICs)
2012

2. Introduction
• Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is an acute, highly
contagious viral disease (Morbillivirus)
• Affects domestic &wild small ruminants (esp. goats and
sheep)
• Characterised by high morbidity and mortality (50-
100%) in naive populations
• In Tanzania: first confirmation in 2008, confined to
northern zone until 2010/2011 then in southern parts

3. Objectives
• To describe clinical and pathological lesions of
PPR and confirm presence of PPRV in southern
Tanzania
• To determine the seroprovalence and describe
epidemiological factors in affected villages
• To identify sources and factors that contributed
to introduction of PPR in southern Tanzania

4. Materials and Methods
Study Area
• Tandahimba and Newala districts in Mtwara
Mozambique

5. Sampling points
• Design
–Cross-sectional
study
• Data collection
–March to May
2011
Purposive – (Affected villages);
Interviews and questionnaires
Samples collection
• Tissues (histo) and swabs (RT-PCR; n=30)
• Serum (Serological assays, c-ELISA, n=216)

6. Results
Clinical signs:
high fever (41oC),
depression,
anorexia,
purulent lacrimation,
diarrhoea,
stomatitis,
reddening conjunctiva,
nasal discharge,
matting of eyelids and
skin nodules

7. Glossy and Histopathology
Lung hyperaemia and consolidation
H&E staining of skin lesion showing
thick crust; mononuclear cells
• Acute pneumonia

8. • Confirmed the presence of PPR in southern
Tanzania by RT-PCR (56.7%)
• Serological analysis of 216 serum samples
established seroprevalence of 31.0% (95% CI=24.9-
37.6%)
• Significantly higher seroprevalence in
Tandahimba (55.5%) than in Newala (5.7%)
(p<0.001)

9. Seroprevalence by ward and district
Seroprevalence
100 79.2
80 60 55.8 55.5
60
40 29.2
20 11.3 5.7
4.3 3.7 3.3
0
village/DISTRICT

10. Seroprevalence
Map
PPR
seroprevalence
and
introduction of
PPR in Newala
• Sex – Female 36.8%; male 29.8%;
• Species – goats 35.5%; Sheep 30.7% (Statistically, No
differences)

11. When and how was PPR introduced?
• Farmers reported to have seen cases in 2009
• PPR was first introduced in Likuna village (Newala
district) in February 2009
• Through a newly purchased goats from the Pugu
livestock market (a.d. 700km in Dar es Salaam)
• The disease rapidly spread to neighbouring villages
by communal grazing and sale of sick animals (cheap
prices)

12. Economic losses
Parameter Newala Tandahimba Overall (79)
(n=31) (48)
HH affected, % 19.4 81.3 57.0
Morbidity, % 4.8 73.1 48.9
Mortality (Crude), % 4.4 37.4 25.7
Case Fatality 92.9 51.2 52.6
HH Rx (Chemotherapy) 22.6 43.8 35.4
Vaccinated 0.0 0.0 0.0
STATISTICS
Goat 105,174 149,945 255,119
Sheep 2,085 2,348 4,433
Human 183,344 203,837 387,181

13. CONCLUSION
• PPR is now prevalent in southern Tanzania
• Disease control measures on going
• Other SADC countries (especially Mozambique,
Malawi & Zambia) are at high risk
• National, regional and international collaboration
required to contain and control the disease

14. Thank you very much