Abstract:
An epidemiological study was carried out between September 2011 and February 2012 to determine the disease status of Peste des Petits ruminants (PPR) in western Kigoma region bordering Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The study aimed at establishing the seroprevalence of PPR and identifying risk factors associated with the disease in three districts (Kasulu, Kibondo and Kigoma rural) of Kigoma region. The study also assessed the presence or absence of clinical cases in the study area. A total of 35 sheep and 415 goats were sampled, 150 animals from each districts. Serological analysis employed monoclonal antibody based competitive Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (cELISA). A questionnaire survey was used to collect information on potential factors associated with the seroprevalence of the disease. In-depth interview of farmers with PPR seropositives and suspected cases was also conducted. The overall seroprevalence established was 5.1% (95% CI: 3.30%-7.70%). Stratification of the seroprevalence by district indicated that Kibondo had the highest seroprevalence (2.0%) followed by Kasulu (1.8%) and Kigoma rural (1.3%). Factors that had an impact on PPR spread includes communal grazing (p=0.01) and introduction of new animal in the flock (p=0.005). The potential risk factor associated with PPR seroprevalence and clinical cases was introducing new animal(s) in the flock from other locations in the study area (p=0.0054). To the best of my knowledge, this is the first study which has reported the prevalence of PPR in western region of Tanzania. As the study area borders neighbouring countries of Burundi and DRC, concerted efforts are required to jointly control the disease with the ultimate aim of eradicating it from the region.
