Update on PPR in Europe - new outbreak in Bulgaria
Quote from Paula Menzies on 09-12-2024, 22:50Below is an update on PPR in Europe as of December 9, 2024
Bulgaria
Unfortunately, PPR has returned to Bulgaria. This outbreak first began on November 25, 2024 and was confirmed on December 2, 2024. It is reported that the outbreak was detected in 5 establishments (1769 sheep and goats at risk / 25 cases / 4 dead), which are one epidemiological unit since they belong to one family and have common keepers and pasture. The location of the outbreak is in Velingrad in south-west Bulgaria. A restricted zone has been put in place. This zone includes a protection zone and surveillance zone – which prohibits the movement of sheep and goats from this zone (Article 21 of the Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687). The affected premises will have all animals destroyed followed by disinfection and disposal of carcasses and waste. The source of the infection will be updated with the follow up reports after investigation is completed.
Bulgaria last reported an incursion of PPR in June 2018 when it was detected in sheep and goats in the south-east of the country near the border with Türkiye (Thrace). It was suspected but not confirmed that the disease was introduced by illegal movement of livestock from Türkiye where cases had been occurring. No further outbreaks of PPR have been identified in Bulgaria from July 2018 until November 25, 2024, although the event (Event 2941) had not been officially ended by WOAH.
Syndromic Surveillance “Pneumo-enteritis Syndrome”
Please note that PPR can look like other small ruminant diseases. The case definition of PES was previously posted in the ECSRHM forum discussion. It should be noted that PPR may be confused with bluetongue. When submitting diagnostic samples of clinical cases for PCR testing and / or serology, please request PPR when PES is observed.
Update on Romania
The outbreak in Romania, which started July 15, 2024 – is considered resolved as of December 2, 2024. In total there was 226,160 susceptible sheep and goats with 12,761 cases and 13,761 deaths. There were 67 premises affected with no new cases after early September. Control measures instituted (restricted zoning, stamping out, biosecurity measures) effectively halted its spread. No animals were vaccinated. There is no confirmation on how PPR was introduced to Romania although there is speculation that it was through illegal live sheep trade from a country with ongoing outbreaks. It is known that there was a delay in diagnosing PPR. It was initially thought by the attending veterinarian to be bluetongue and when diagnostic samples submitted for that disease were negative, resampling had to be done and sent to a lab with the capacity of diagnosing PPR. This points out the importance of using syndromic surveillance with follow-up diagnostic testing to catch cases early in the outbreak.
Update on Greece
The outbreak in Greece, which started on July 8, 2024 (confirmed on July 11, 2024), has not yet ended with currently 44 outbreaks ongoing from a total of 86 outbreaks across Greece. However, no new outbreaks have been reported since October 29, 2024, and since that date, the number of outbreaks ongoing has steadily declined. In total – to date – PPR has affected 34,065 susceptible animals with 5478 cases and 611 deaths. As with Romania, control measures (restricted zoning, stamping out, biosecurity measures) appears to have stopped the spread of PPR in Greece. There is strong evidence that PPR entered Greece from an affected flock in Romania before the disease was diagnosed in that country. The initial outbreak in Greece occurred in a flock that distributed breeding animals across that country, thus leading to a rapid spread of disease.
Links of Interest:
PPR case map includes all cases in Europe – ongoing and ended, and gives an idea of the scope of the outbreaks in Europe this summer / autumn. WOAH also has case maps by country.
WOAH Events Manager where you can search by disease term “peste des petits ruminants virus (inf. with)” to get updated information on PPR outbreaks.
WOAH PPR – Reference Laboratory network
Below is an update on PPR in Europe as of December 9, 2024
Bulgaria
Unfortunately, PPR has returned to Bulgaria. This outbreak first began on November 25, 2024 and was confirmed on December 2, 2024. It is reported that the outbreak was detected in 5 establishments (1769 sheep and goats at risk / 25 cases / 4 dead), which are one epidemiological unit since they belong to one family and have common keepers and pasture. The location of the outbreak is in Velingrad in south-west Bulgaria. A restricted zone has been put in place. This zone includes a protection zone and surveillance zone – which prohibits the movement of sheep and goats from this zone (Article 21 of the Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687). The affected premises will have all animals destroyed followed by disinfection and disposal of carcasses and waste. The source of the infection will be updated with the follow up reports after investigation is completed.
Bulgaria last reported an incursion of PPR in June 2018 when it was detected in sheep and goats in the south-east of the country near the border with Türkiye (Thrace). It was suspected but not confirmed that the disease was introduced by illegal movement of livestock from Türkiye where cases had been occurring. No further outbreaks of PPR have been identified in Bulgaria from July 2018 until November 25, 2024, although the event (Event 2941) had not been officially ended by WOAH.
Syndromic Surveillance “Pneumo-enteritis Syndrome”
Please note that PPR can look like other small ruminant diseases. The case definition of PES was previously posted in the ECSRHM forum discussion. It should be noted that PPR may be confused with bluetongue. When submitting diagnostic samples of clinical cases for PCR testing and / or serology, please request PPR when PES is observed.
Update on Romania
The outbreak in Romania, which started July 15, 2024 – is considered resolved as of December 2, 2024. In total there was 226,160 susceptible sheep and goats with 12,761 cases and 13,761 deaths. There were 67 premises affected with no new cases after early September. Control measures instituted (restricted zoning, stamping out, biosecurity measures) effectively halted its spread. No animals were vaccinated. There is no confirmation on how PPR was introduced to Romania although there is speculation that it was through illegal live sheep trade from a country with ongoing outbreaks. It is known that there was a delay in diagnosing PPR. It was initially thought by the attending veterinarian to be bluetongue and when diagnostic samples submitted for that disease were negative, resampling had to be done and sent to a lab with the capacity of diagnosing PPR. This points out the importance of using syndromic surveillance with follow-up diagnostic testing to catch cases early in the outbreak.
Update on Greece
The outbreak in Greece, which started on July 8, 2024 (confirmed on July 11, 2024), has not yet ended with currently 44 outbreaks ongoing from a total of 86 outbreaks across Greece. However, no new outbreaks have been reported since October 29, 2024, and since that date, the number of outbreaks ongoing has steadily declined. In total – to date – PPR has affected 34,065 susceptible animals with 5478 cases and 611 deaths. As with Romania, control measures (restricted zoning, stamping out, biosecurity measures) appears to have stopped the spread of PPR in Greece. There is strong evidence that PPR entered Greece from an affected flock in Romania before the disease was diagnosed in that country. The initial outbreak in Greece occurred in a flock that distributed breeding animals across that country, thus leading to a rapid spread of disease.
Links of Interest:
PPR case map includes all cases in Europe – ongoing and ended, and gives an idea of the scope of the outbreaks in Europe this summer / autumn. WOAH also has case maps by country.
WOAH Events Manager where you can search by disease term “peste des petits ruminants virus (inf. with)” to get updated information on PPR outbreaks.
WOAH PPR – Reference Laboratory network