Clinico-Pathological Findings, Diagnosis and Management of an Outbreak of Peste des Petis Ruminants in A Goats’ Flock in Ibadan Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

An outbreak of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) among recently vaccinated West African Dwarf male goats (buck) was investigated and managed at the Teaching and Research Farm University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. The average age of the animals was ranged between 1½- 2years old. The morbidity rate of 87% and mortality rate of 28% was recorded on the flock, giving a case fatality rate of 32%. Sneezing, coughing, anorexia, mucopurulent nasal discharges, dyspnea and diarrhea with pungent characteristic odor were observed clinically. Clinical examination of clinically infected animals on the average revealed the followings: Temperature: 40.5°C, Heart rate: 76 beats per min, Respiratory rate: 44 breathes per min. 13 mortalities were recorded within a week post vaccination. Post mortem findings revealed mucopurulent oculonasal discharges, crust on the lips, erosive lesions on the gums, fecal soiled perineum, frothy mucoid tracheal fluid, copious hydroperitoneum, hyperemia, congestion and lungs hepatization with large intestine seemed congested. A rapid diagnostic kit for goat Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus Antibody was used to detect the positivity and correlated antibody titer in four of the goats; two from the apparently healthy group and two from the group still manifesting the clinical symptoms. Results of the two apparently healthy revealed some positivity which correlated to 1:160 antibody titer while the two animals from the group showing clinical signs revealed complete invalidation. Clinically infected animals were isolated and treated symptomatically for five consecutive days with Tylosin, Sulphadimidine and Multivitamins at recommended dosages To the best of the authors knowledge, this case will be the first confirmed PPR outbreak among West African Dwarf goats linked with vaccination using PPR rapid diagnostic kit outcome combined with clinico-pathological findings in the South-Western Nigeria.