EVALUATION OF PESTE DES PETITS RUMINANTS (PPR) CELL CULTURE VACCINE IN GOATS AND SHEEP IN INDIA

Abstract

Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious viral disease of ruminants. The disease has high impact on small ruminants market, especially in Africa and Middle East. India has a large population of sheep and goats, having significant part in world ruminant population. Prevention and control programs by vaccines are necessary parts of ruminants business. PPR vaccines are successfully used by small and large farmers in various parts of India. Researches have been done to investigate the efficacy of PPR vaccines on sheep and goats, but few data are available on sero-conversion in the bodies. In present study, sheep and goats were vaccinated with Sungri/96 strain and serum collection was done up to one year. Antibodies levels were measured with competitive ELISA. Antibody levels reached to protective levels within 21 days of vaccination, which continued up to one year. Sheep responded to vaccine slightly better than goats. Further studies are required to investigate total duration of protection by PPR vaccine in small ruminants.