Suspected Outbreak of PPR Reported in Rukungiri District

Rukungiri: There is a suspected outbreak of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), commonly known as the sheep and goats plague, in Rukungiri District. The development was confirmed on October 23, in a statement issued by the Rukungiri District Production Office. 

According to the statement, the disease has been identified in several areas including Nyarushanje, Bugangari, Nyakishenyi sub-counties, and the Eastern Division of Rukungiri Municipality. 

Peste des Petits Ruminants is a highly contagious viral disease caused by the Morbillivirus (PPR virus) that affects goats and sheep. It spreads through contact with body fluids such as feces, saliva, urine, milk, and tears, as well as through aerosols. The incubation period ranges from two to ten days. 

The disease is characterized by high rates of infection and death among small ruminants, leading to severe economic losses for livestock farmers. 

Some of the clinical signs observed in infected animals include high fever, loss of appetite, severe hemorrhagic diarrhea, nasal discharge, oral lesions, and lacrimation that causes eyelids to stick together. High death rates are particularly recorded among young goats and sheep. 

The District Production Officer Oneck Pius has urged farmers to immediately control the movement of sheep and goats to prevent further spread of the disease. 

He added that PPR is a notifiable disease and its control is mainly achieved through vaccination. Effective vaccines are available and can provide lifelong protection to vaccinated animals. 

Farmers have also been encouraged to work closely with veterinary authorities to purchase and administer the vaccines to their herds, as well as to report any suspected cases to the nearest veterinary office for timely intervention.