On 18 June 2018, the mysterious death of 127 goats and sheep in Kenema and Moyamba were reported to the Ministry of Agriculture. The unknown outbreak among small ruminants falls into the category of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), has created tension among animal’s farmers and consumers as the cause of death and possible disease remain unknown.
Roland Suluku, coordinator, Serology and Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory of Njala University on Friday 29 June 2018, said the signs and symptoms include dullness in the animals, excess salivation dehydration and diarrhea. The severity of illness could result in death.
Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), also known as sheep and goat plague according to Food and Agriculture Organisation, is a highly contagious animal disease affecting small ruminants like sheep and goats.
Once introduced, the virus can infect up to 90% of an animal herd and the disease kills anywhere from 30 to 70% of infected animals. The PPR virus does not infect humans.
PPR was first described in 1942 in Côte d’Ivoire. Since then the disease has spread to large regions in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Today, more than 70 countries have confirmed PPR within their borders, and many countries are at risk of the disease being introduced. These regions are home to approximately 1.7 billion heads roughly 80% of the global population of sheep and goats.
The signs and symptoms, Suluku says is similar to Rinderpest in cattle, after an incubation period of 3-6 days, there is a sudden onset of fever, severe depression, loss of appetite, and clear nasal discharge.
“The nasal discharge becomes thick and yellow, often becoming so profuse that it forms a crust that blocks the nostrils causing respiratory distress. The eyes may also become infected, causing eyelids to mat together with discharge. Tissues in the mouth can swell and ulcers form on the lower gums, dental pad, hard palate, cheeks and tongue. Severe diarrhea develops in some animals, resulting in dehydration and weight loss. Pneumonia is common in later stages. Pregnant animals may abort.
The prognosis of peste des petits ruminants is poor and death can occur within five to ten days of the onset of fever. Young animals are most severely affected, goats more than sheep. In its most severe form (peracute) animals are found dead. However, the disease can be mild or unapparent and circulate in a country causing little or no illness until susceptible goats are exposed.
Suluku pointed out that no laboratory test has confirmed the outbreak as of Wednesday 4 July 2018.
In Sierra Leone, Suluku said, PPR was detected in 1995 and since it was confirmed, the country has recorded several cases of the outbreak.
Suluku further indicated that PPR is a seasonal outbreak but there is a paradigm shift as it is not normally seasonal as there has being a daily movement of animal within and outside the country.
As a way of prevention, Suluku said, they’ve called on all animal farmers to restrain their animals and separate the ill ones. They also encouraged farmers to restrict the movement of new animals in their communities.
Keeping the virus from entering a country or a region through quarantine, border security, cross-border coordination, good biosecurity and other prevention measures, Suluku said is a key prevention of the disease.
Suluku also spoke about the high rate of human scabies found among small ruminants in the country and the lack vaccine and necessary drug for treatment.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Samking Brima encouraged the public to abstain from eating sick or dead animals and maintain a general hygiene as immediate measures to contain the outbreak.
SV/30/6/18
By Sylvia Villa
Monday July 02 2018.
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