Institute of Diagnostic Virology (IVD)

The pathogens Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) and Rinderpest virus (RPV) are representatives of the genus Small Ruminant Morbillivirus of the family Paramyxoviridae with close antigenic relationship. Transmission occurs by direct or indirect contact with virus-contaminated excrements of infected animals. Both diseases are characterized by high morbidity and mortality. RPV is divided into three genetic lineages, whereas PPRV is divided into four genotypes. In recent years, PRRV lineage IV has spread very extensively in Asia and Africa. PPR mainly causes disease in goats, sheep and closely related wild animals. Peste des petits ruminants usually has a more dramatic course in goats than in sheep. Rinderpest (RP) primarily affected cattle and buffalo.

After an incubation period of about five days, an acute febrile phase follows, during which a prodromal and an erosive phase can be distinguished. The prodromal phase can last three days, during which the infected animals usually show high fever between 40.0 and 41.5 °C. Other important clinical manifestations are anorexia, constipation, serous hypersecretion of the mucous membranes, nasal and ocular discharge and finally severe diarrhea. At the beginning of the erosive phase, typcial necrotic lesions of the oral mucosa develop, which allow a suspected diagnosis. In highly susceptible animals, peracute courses of disease occur, which lead to death shortly after the prodromal phase. On the other hand, there are also weakly virulent virus strains which cause only short-term illness and hardly visible lesions in the mouth area. In any case, laboratory diagnostic confirmation of a suspected diagnosis is indicated.

On 15 October 2010, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) announced that rinderpest had been eradicated. The official declaration of eradication was made on 25 May 2011.