Comprehensive Research for Detecting Origin and Distribution of Peste des Petits Ruminants in Georgia and Armenia
Abstract
Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious and often fatal disease of small ruminants with significant economic, food security and livelihood impacts. The disease is caused by a morbillivirus (PPRV) closely related to rinderpest virus. Clinically, PPR resembles pneumonic pasteurellosis, contagious caprine pleuropneumonia, sheep and goat pox, contagious ecthyma, bluetongue, and foot-and-mouth disease. In January, 2016 PPR was detected in Georgia. Up to present the origin of virus, age relationship of affected ruminants and distribution of PPRV in Georgia remains unclear. Due to the nature of PPR, and breeding practices in the country, reemerging of the disease in Georgia is highly likely. Thus, we propose to establish a PPRV survey in Georgia by collecting samples from small ruminants in different regions of the country that will enable the identification of areas at high risk of the disease. Detected PPRV will be fully sequenced and sequences will be compared with those obtained from previously detected viruses with vaccine viruses and with viruses detected elsewhere in the region. Overall, the work will ensure effective surveillance of PPR and accurate distinction from look-alike diseases. The proposed research will create science-based knowledge necessary to reduce the number and severity of PPR outbreaks in Georgia. Knowledge and lessons learnt about PPR in Georgia will also likely have a high degree of transferability to neighboring countries such as Georgia and Armenia, setting the stage for regional cooperation, a necessity by definition for trans-boundary animal diseases such as PPR
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2019
- Source ID
- HDTRA11910022
Entities
People
- Marina Nikolaishvili
Organizations
- Defense Threat Reduction Agency