Epidemiological observations on Peste-des-petits ruminants in north India

An outbreak of Peste-des-petits ruminants (PPR) occurred during February-Ma y 1994 in sheep and goat population maintained at the IVRI, Izatnagar. The outbreak occurred following introduction of newly purchased sheep and goats for experimental purposes by various divisions of the institute. The morbi dity, mortality and case fatality rates in sheep, respectively, were 52.9, 29.3% and 55.4% while these rates in goats were relatively higher i.e., 84. 3%, 60.3% and 71.6% respectively. The outbreak subsided after 3 months foll owing antibiotic and supportive therapy of ailing animals and vaccination o f healthy animals. Possible source (s) of infection and spread from souther n to northern states is discussed.