credits bmbl December 7 '06.doc - Central Michigan University

Appendix D
Peste Des Petits Ruminants Virus (PPRV)
PPRV causes disease variously termed stomatitis pneumoenteritis complex, kata,
goat plague and pseudorinderpest. The virus affects sheep and especially goats, and is
regarded as the most important disease of goats and possibly sheep in West Africa where
they are a major source of animal protein. The disease is reported from sub-Saharan
Africa north of the equator, the Arabian Peninsula, the Middle East, and the Indian
Subcontinent. The virus has particular affinity for lymphoid tissues and epithelial tissue
of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, causing high fever, diphtheritic oral plaques,
proliferative lip lesions, diarrhea, dehydration, pneumonia and death. In susceptible
populations morbidity is commonly 90% and mortality 50-80%, but can reach 100%. 39
PPRV is a member of the family Paramyxoviridae, subfamily Paramyxovirinae,
genus Morbillivirus, and species peste-des-petits-ruminants virus. Other important
morbilliviruses include measles virus, rinderpest virus and canine distemper virus. As in
all morbilliviruses, it is pleomorphic, enveloped, about 150 nm in diameter and contains a
single molecule of linear, non-infectious, negative sense ssRNA. 40
The virus is environmentally fragile and requires close direct contact for
transmission. Outbreaks typically occur after animal movement and commingling during
seasonal migrations or religious festivals. Sources of virus include tears, nasal discharge,
coughed secretions, and all secretions and excretions of incubating and sick animals.
There is no carrier state, and animals recovering from natural infection have lifetime
immunity.
LABORATORY SAFETY
PPRV is not known to infect humans in either laboratory or field settings. The
greatest risk of working with PPRV is the escape of the organism into a susceptible sheep
or goat population, which would necessitate USDA emergency procedures to contain and
eradicate the disease.
Containment Recommendations
The virus is considered cause of a foreign animal disease in the United States.
Due to the highly contagious nature of the agent and the severe economic consequences
of disease presence in the United States, this organism should only be handled in vitro in
a BSL-3 laboratory with enhancements as required by the USDA and in vivo in a USDAapproved
BSL-3-Ag animal facility. Laboratory workers should have no contact with
susceptible hosts for five days after working with the agent.
SPECIAL ISSUES
The importation, possession, or use of this agent is prohibited or restricted by law
or by USDA regulations or administrative policies. A USDA/APHIS import or interstate
388