Pattern of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) distribution in Ghana (2005–2013)

Abstract

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is one of the most devastating diseases that limit small ruminant industry in Ghana and causes substantial economic losses to small ruminant farmers. However, there is lack of documented evidence on the distribution of the disease across the various regions in the country. A retrospective epidemiological study was therefore conducted to investigate the pattern, distribution and prevalence of PPR disease in Ghana. The study also investigated the impact of vaccination on PPR burden using descriptive epidemiological analysis. Data on PPR outbreaks from 2005 to 2013 as well as vaccination records from the Veterinary Services Directorate in Ghana and from the International Office of Epizootics (OIE) were collated and used for this study. Results from the study indicated that PPR was endemic in Ghana, at a prevalence level of 6.84% per 1,000 population. All ten regions reported PPR outbreaks with Western region reporting the highest, followed by Eastern and Central regions. PPR occurred in both seasons, but mostly in the dry season. Vaccination programmes covered all the ten regions in Ghana. The lowest number of vaccinated animals and highest number of outbreaks were registered in the Western region, while Volta region had the high-est number of vaccinated animals and lowest number of outbreaks. In conclusion, PPR disease is endemic in Ghana with highest outbreaks occurring at the peak of the dry season (January to March) and the onset of the rainy season (second quarter of the year). Vaccination had a positive impact on the occurrence of PPR in Ghana