SERO-PREVALENCE, MOLECULAR DETECTION AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS OF PESTE DES PETITS RUMINANTS (PPR) IN SELECTED DISTRICTS OF EASTERN AND SOUTH EASTERN ZONES OF TIGRAY REGION

Abstract

Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), also known as "goat plague, is a contagious, transboundary viral disease of both domestic and wild small ruminants associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. Cross-Sectional Study was carried out From January 2024 to December 2024 in Enderta and Kiltawulaelo districts in the eastern and southeastern zones of the Tigray region to determine the seroprevalence, related risk factors, and molecular detection of PPR virus in sheep and goats using a combination of purposive and simple random sampling. 384 serum samples 43 swab samples and were gathered in total, PPR virus-specific antibodies and viral nucleic acid were found using the virus neutralization test and real-time RT PCR, respectively. The relationship between PPR seroprevalence and the possible risk factors was examined using Pearson's chi-square and logistic regression analysis. Of the total 384 sera samples tested, 41.9% (n = 161) were found positive for PPRV antibody, the seroprevalence in the districts of Enderta and Kiltawulaelo was found to be 47.6% (n = 98) and 35.% (n = 63), respectively, while the species level was found to be 36.8% (n = 49) in sheep and 44.6% (n = 112) in goats. Out of all the sera analyzed, 39 samples (43.8%) were positive from males and 122 samples (41.4%) were positive from females. and from 43 samples tested with the real-time PCR, 23.26% (n = 10) were detected positive. The results of the research showed that the PPR virus was active in the investigated areas. To minimize the threat of PPR, strategic vaccination of sheep and goats should be implemented.