Understanding the epidemiology of sheep-pox outbreaks among vaccinated Algerian sheep and post vaccination evaluation of the antibodies kinetics of the commercially used vaccine

Abstract

Sheep pox is a disease of veterinary concern to small ruminant producers and veterinary diagnosticians, because of the associated tangible economic losses. The epidemiological analysis of sheep pox, among vaccinated sheep flock in Algeria from 2007 to 2016, showed that the disease outbreaks occurred every year and across all Algeria region with an average of 44.9 outbreaks per year, these outbreaks correlate with the region climate, the flocks’ density and the transhumance practices. The one-year post vaccination antibody kinetics evaluation study of the commercially used vaccine in Algeria demonstrated a mild humoral response, the neutralization index range between 0.73 and 1.22. Therefore, the present study recommends a challenge study, using a virulent local strain, to evaluate the vaccine efficacy. Furthermore, quality control approach for the vaccine production processes is required.