Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) in Pakistan: Analysis of a national level serological data

The study was aimed to obtain baseline information about the presence and distribution of Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) in Pakistan by quantifying the sero-prevalence of this infection in all provinces/regions in the country. There are ongoing activities towards the progressive control and eventual eradication of PPR from Pakistan. To design a suitable control program and monitor its progress, baseline information on the occurrence of the disease in the target population is needed. Using a cluster sampling approach a total of 19575 serum samples from sheep and goat were collected from all provinces of the country. These samples were analyzed for the presence of antibodies against PPR virus using a competitive ELISA. Out of 19575 samples tested, 5389 were classified as sero-positive. The prevalence (95% confidence intervals (CI)) at the province level ranged 9.93% (0.027%-0.151%) in Azad Jammu & Kashmir to 38.16% (0.366%-0.466%) in Balochistan. Difference in sero-positivity could be attributed to animals' movement, agro-climatic conditions of areas. Risk factors covered in the study were season as well as age and sex of the animals. PPR is endemic and it is distributed across all provinces in the country. This study provides basic information for the identification of disease hotspots for implementation of a control programme in Pakistan.