Terrestrial Animal Health Code

Contents | Index Chapter 14.6. SECTION 14. Chapter 14.8.

Chapter 14.7.


Infection with peste des petits ruminants virus


Article 14.7.1.


General provisions

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) susceptible animals are primarily domestic sheep and goats although cattle, camels, buffaloes and some wild ruminant species can also be infected and may act as sentinels indicating the spill over of peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) from domestic small ruminants. Even if some wild small ruminants can be infective, only domestic sheep and goats play a significant epidemiological role.

For the purpose of the Terrestrial Code, PPR is defined as an infection of domestic sheep and goats with PPRV.

This chapter deals not only with the occurrence of clinical signs caused by PPRV, but also with the presence of infection with PPRV in the absence of clinical signs.

The following defines the occurrence of PPRV infection:

  1. PPRV, excluding vaccine strains, has been isolated and identified as such from a domestic sheep or goat or a product derived from it; or

  2. antigen or ribonucleic acid specific to PPRV, excluding vaccine strains, has been identified in samples from a domestic sheep or goat showing clinical signs consistent with PPR, or epidemiologically linked to an outbreak of PPR, or giving cause for suspicion of association or contact with PPR; or

  3. antibodies to PPRV antigens which are not the consequence of vaccination, have been identified in a domestic sheep or goat with either epidemiological links to a confirmed or suspected outbreak of PPR or showing clinical signs consistent with recent infection of PPRV.

For the purposes of the Terrestrial Code, the incubation period for PPR shall be 21 days.

Standards for diagnostic tests and vaccines are described in the Terrestrial Manual.


Article 14.7.2.


Safe commodities

When authorising import or transit through their territory of semi-processed hides and skins (limed hides, pickled pelts, and semi-processed leather, e.g. wet blue and crust leather) which have been submitted to the usual chemical and mechanical processes in use in the tanning industry, Veterinary Authorities should not require any PPR related conditions regardless of PPR status of the exporting country or zone.


Article 14.7.3.


PPR free country or zone

  1. The PPR status of a country or zone should be determined on the basis of the following criteria, as applicable:

    1. PPR is notifiable in the whole territory, and all clinical signs suggestive of PPR should be subjected to appropriate field or laboratory investigations;

    2. an ongoing awareness programme is in place to encourage reporting of all cases suggestive of PPR;

    3. systematic vaccination against PPR is prohibited;

    4. importation of domestic ruminants and their semen, oocytes or embryos is carried out in accordance with this chapter;

    5. the Veterinary Authority has current knowledge of, and authority over, all domestic sheep and goats in the country or zone;

    6. appropriate surveillance, capable of detecting the presence of infection even in the absence of clinical signs, is in place; this may be achieved through a surveillance programme in accordance with Articles 14.7.27. to 14.7.33.

  2. To qualify for inclusion in the list of PPR free countries or zones, a Member Country should either:

    1. apply for recognition of historical freedom as described in point 1 of Article 1.4.6.; or

    2. apply for recognition of freedom and submit to the OIE:

      1. a record of regular and prompt animal disease reporting;

      2. a declaration stating that:

        • there has been no outbreak of PPR during the past 24 months;

        • no evidence of PPRV infection has been found during the past 24 months;

        • no vaccination against PPR has been carried out during the past 24 months;

        • importation of domestic ruminants and their semen, oocytes or embryos is carried out in accordance with this chapter;

      3. supply documented evidence that surveillance in accordance with Chapter 1.4. is in operation and that regulatory measures for the prevention and control of PPR have been implemented;

      4. evidence that no animals vaccinated against PPR have been imported since the cessation of vaccination.

    The Member Country will be included in the list only after the application and submitted evidence has been accepted by the OIE. Changes in the epidemiological situation or other significant events should be reported to the OIE in accordance with the requirements in Chapter 1.1. Retention on the list requires annual reconfirmation of point 2 above.


Article 14.7.4.


PPR free compartment

A PPR free compartment can be established in either a PPR free country or zone or in an infected country or zone. In defining such a compartment the principles of Chapters 4.3. and 4.4. should be followed. Domestic sheep and goats in the PPR free compartment should be separated from any other susceptible animals by the application of an effective biosecurity management system.

A Member Country wishing to establish a PPR free compartment should:

  1. have a record of regular and prompt animal disease reporting and if not PPR free, have an official control programme and a surveillance system for PPR in place in accordance with Articles 14.7.27. to 14.7.33. that allows an accurate knowledge of the prevalence of PPR in the country or zone;

  2. declare for the PPR free compartment that:

    1. there has been no outbreak of PPR during the past 24 months;

    2. no evidence of PPRV infection has been found during the past 24 months;

    3. vaccination against PPR is prohibited;

    4. no small ruminant in the compartment has been vaccinated against PPR within the past 24 months;

    5. animals, semen and embryos only enter the compartment in accordance with relevant articles in this chapter;

    6. documented evidence shows that surveillance in accordance with Articles 14.7.27. to 14.7.33. is in place;

    7. an animal identification and traceability system in accordance with Chapters 4.1. and 4.2. is in place;

  3. describe in detail the animal subpopulation in the compartment and the biosecurity plan for PPRV infection.

The compartment should be approved by the Veterinary Authority.


Article 14.7.5.


PPRV infected country or zone

A country or zone shall be considered as PPRV infected when the requirements for acceptance as a PPR free country or zone are not fulfilled.


Article 14.7.6.


Establishment of a containment zone within a PPR free country or zone

In the event of limited outbreaks within a PPR free country or zone, including within a protection zone, a single containment zone, which includes all cases, can be established for the purpose of minimising the impact on the entire country or zone.

For this to be achieved and for the Member Country to take full advantage of this process, the Veterinary Authority should submit documented evidence as soon as possible to the OIE that:

  1. the outbreaks are limited based on the following factors:

    1. immediately on suspicion, a rapid response including notification has been made;

    2. standstill of animal movements has been imposed, and effective controls on the movement of other commodities mentioned in this chapter are in place;

    3. epidemiological investigation (trace-back, trace-forward) has been completed;

    4. the infection has been confirmed;

    5. the primary outbreak has been identified, and investigations on the likely source of the outbreak have been carried out;

    6. all cases have been shown to be epidemiologically linked;

    7. no new cases have been found in the containment zone with a minimum of two incubation periods as defined in Article 14.7.1. after the stamping-out of the last detected case is completed;

  2. a stamping-out policy has been applied;

  3. the susceptible animal population within the containment zones is clearly identifiable as belonging to the containment zone;

  4. increased passive and targeted surveillance in accordance with Articles 14.7.27. to 14.7.33. in the rest of the country or zone has not detected any evidence of infection;

  5. animal health measures that effectively prevent the spread of the PPRV to the rest of the country or zone, taking into consideration physical and geographical barriers, are in place;

  6. ongoing surveillance is in place in the containment zone.

The free status of the areas outside the containment zone is suspended while the containment zone is being established. The free status of these areas may be reinstated irrespective of Article 14.7.7., once the containment zone is clearly established, by complying with points 1 to 6 above. It should be demonstrated that commodities for international trade have originated outside the containment zone.

The recovery of the PPR free status of the containment zone should follow Article 14.7.7.


Article 14.7.7.


Recovery of free status

When a PPR outbreak or PPRV infection occurs in a PPR free country or zone and when a stamping-out policy is practised, the recovery period shall be six months after the slaughter of the last case provided that Article 14.7.32. has been complied with.

If a stamping-out policy is not applied, Article 14.7.3. applies.


Article 14.7.8.


Recommendations for importation from PPR free countries or zones

For domestic sheep and goats

Veterinary Authorities should require the presentation of an international veterinary certificate attesting that the animals:

  1. showed no clinical sign of PPR on the day of shipment;

  2. were kept in a PPR free country or zone since birth or for at least the past 21 days.


Article 14.7.9.


Recommendations for importation from PPR free countries or zones

For wild ruminants

Veterinary Authorities should require the presentation of an international veterinary certificate attesting that the animals:

  1. showed no clinical sign suggestive of PPRV infection on the day of shipment;

  2. come from a PPR free country or zone;

  3. if the country or zone of origin has a common border with a country considered infected with PPRV:

    1. were captured at a distance from the border that precludes any contact with animals in an infected country, the distance should be defined in accordance with the biology of the species exported, including home range and long distance movements;

    OR

    1. were kept in a quarantine station for at least 21 days prior to shipment.


Article 14.7.10.


Recommendations for importation from countries or zones considered infected with PPRV

For domestic sheep and goats

Veterinary Authorities should require the presentation of an international veterinary certificate attesting that the animals:

  1. showed no clinical sign suggestive of PPRV infection for at least the 21 days prior to shipment;

  2. either :

    1. were kept since birth, or for at least the 21 days prior to shipment, in an establishment where no case of PPR was reported during that period, and that the establishment was not situated in a PPRV infected zone; or

    2. were kept in a quarantine station for at least the 21 days prior to shipment;

  3. either:

  1. were not vaccinated against PPR and were submitted to a diagnostic test for PPRV infection with negative result no more than 21 days prior to shipment; or

  2. were vaccinated against PPR with live attenuated PPRV vaccines at least 21 days prior to shipment.


Article 14.7.11.


Recommendations for importation from countries or zones considered infected with PPRV

For wild ruminants

Veterinary Authorities should require the presentation of an international veterinary certificate attesting that the animals:

  1. showed no clinical sign suggestive of PPRV infection for at least the 21 days prior to shipment;

  2. were submitted to a diagnostic test for PPRV infection with negative results no more than 21 days prior to shipment;

  3. were kept in a quarantine station for at least the 21 days prior to shipment.


Article 14.7.12.


Recommendations for importation from PPR free countries or zones

For semen of domestic sheep and goats

Veterinary Authorities should require the presentation of an international veterinary certificate attesting that the donor animals:

  1. showed no clinical sign of PPR on the day of the collection of the semen and during the following 21 days;

  2. were kept in a PPR free country or zone for at least the 21 days prior to collection.


Article 14.7.13.


Recommendations for importation from countries or zones considered infected with PPRV

For semen of domestic sheep and goats

Veterinary Authorities should require the presentation of an international veterinary certificate attesting that the donor animals:

  1. showed no clinical sign suggestive of PPRV infection for at least the 21 days prior to collection of the semen and during the following 21 days;

  2. were kept, for at least the 21 days prior to collection, in an establishment or artificial insemination centre where no case of PPR was reported during that period, which was not situated in a PPRV infected zone and to which no animals had been added during the 21 days prior to collection;

  3. were not vaccinated against PPR and were submitted to a diagnostic test for PPRV infection with negative results at least 21 days prior to collection of the semen;

OR

  1. were vaccinated against PPR with live attenuated PPRV vaccines at least 21 days prior to semen collection.


Article 14.7.14.


Recommendations for importation from PPR free countries or zones

For embryos of domestic sheep and goats and captive wild ruminants

Veterinary Authorities should require the presentation of an international veterinary certificate attesting that:

  1. the donor animals were kept in an establishment located in a PPR free country or zone at least 21 days prior to embryo collection;

  2. the embryos were collected, processed and stored in accordance with Chapters 4.7., 4.8. and 4.9., as relevant;

  3. semen of domestic sheep and goats used to fertilise the oocytes complies at least with the requirements in Article 14.7.12. or Article 14.7.13.


Article 14.7.15.


Recommendations for importation from countries or zones considered infected with PPRV

For embryos of domestic sheep and goats

Veterinary Authorities should require the presentation of an international veterinary certificate attesting that:

  1. the donor animals:

    1. and all other animals in the establishment showed no clinical sign suggestive of PPRV infection at the time of collection and during the following 21 days;

    2. were kept, for at least the 21 days prior to collection, in an establishment where no case of PPR was reported during that period, and to which no susceptible animals had been added during the 21 days prior to collection;

    3. were not vaccinated against PPR and were subjected to a diagnostic test for PPRV infection with negative results at least 21 days prior to collection;

    OR

    1. were vaccinated against PPR with live attenuated PPRV vaccines at least 21 days prior to embryo collection;

  2. the embryos were collected, processed and stored in accordance with Chapters 4.7., 4.8. and 4.9., as relevant;

  3. semen of domestic sheep and goats used to fertilise the oocytes complies at least with the requirements in Article 14.7.12. or Article 14.7.13.


Article 14.7.16.


Recommendations for importation from countries or zones considered infected with PPRV

For embryos of captive wild ruminants

Veterinary Authorities should require the presentation of an international veterinary certificate attesting that:

  1. the donor animals:

    1. showed no clinical sign suggestive of infection with PPRV for at least the 21 days prior to embryo collection;

    2. were not vaccinated against PPR and were subjected to a diagnostic test for PPRV infection with negative results at least 21 days prior to collection;

    3. were kept, for at least the 21 days prior to collection, in an establishment where no case of PPR or of infection with PPRV was reported during that period, and to which no susceptible animals had been added during the 21 days prior to collection;

  2. the embryos were collected, processed and stored in accordance with Chapters 4.7., 4.8. and 4.9., as relevant.


Article 14.7.17.


Recommendations for importation of fresh meat and meat products from sheep and goats

Veterinary Authorities should require the presentation of an international veterinary certificate attesting that the entire consignment of meat comes from animals which:

  1. showed no clinical sign of PPR within 24 hours before slaughter;

  2. have been slaughtered in an approved slaughterhouse/abattoir and have been subjected to ante- and post-mortem inspections with favourable results.


Article 14.7.18.


Recommendations for importation from PPR free countries or zones

For milk and milk products from sheep and goats

Veterinary Authorities should require the presentation of an international veterinary certificate attesting that these products come from animals which have been kept in a PPR free country or zone for at least the 21 days prior to milking.


Article 14.7.19.


Recommendations for importation from countries or zones considered infected with PPRV

For milk from sheep and goats

Veterinary Authorities should require the presentation of an international veterinary certificate attesting that:

  1. the milk:

    1. originates from herds or flocks which were not subjected to any restrictions due to PPR at the time of milk collection;

    OR

    1. has been processed to ensure the destruction of the PPRV in accordance with one of the procedures referred to in Articles 8.8.35. and 8.8.36.;

  2. the necessary precautions were taken to avoid contact of the products with any potential source of PPRV.


Article 14.7.20.


Recommendations for importation from countries or zones considered infected with PPRV

For milk products from sheep and goats

Veterinary Authorities should require the presentation of an international veterinary certificate attesting that:

  1. these products are derived from milk complying with the requirements of Article 14.7.19.;

  2. the necessary precautions were taken after processing to avoid contact of the milk products with any potential source of PPRV.


Article 14.7.21.


Recommendations for importation from PPR free countries or zones

For products of sheep and goats, other than milk, fresh meat and their products

Veterinary Authorities should require the presentation of an international veterinary certificate attesting that the products are derived from animals:

  1. which have been kept in a PPR free country or zone since birth or for at least the past 21 days;

  2. which have been slaughtered in an approved slaughterhouse/abattoir and have been subjected to ante- and post-mortem inspections with favourable results.


Article 14.7.22.


Recommendations for importation from countries or zones considered infected with PPRV

For meal and flour from blood, meat, defatted bones, hooves, claws and horns from sheep and goats

Veterinary Authorities should require the presentation of an international veterinary certificate attesting that:

  1. the products were processed using heat treatment to a minimum internal temperature of 70°C for at least 30 minutes;

  2. the necessary precautions were taken after processing to avoid contact of the commodities with any potential source of PPRV.


Article 14.7.23.


Recommendations for importation from countries or zones considered infected with PPRV

For hooves, claws, bones and horns, hunting trophies and preparations destined for museums from sheep and goats

Veterinary Authorities should require the presentation of an international veterinary certificate attesting that:

  1. the products were completely dried and had no trace on them of skin, flesh or tendon or were adequately disinfected; and

  2. the necessary precautions were taken after processing to avoid contact of the commodities with any potential source of PPRV.


Article 14.7.24.


Recommendations for importation from countries or zones considered infected with PPRV

For wool, hair, raw hides and skins from sheep and goats

Veterinary Authorities should require the presentation of an international veterinary certificate attesting that:

  1. the products were adequately processed in accordance with one of the procedures referred to in Article 8.8.34. in premises controlled and approved by the Veterinary Authority of the exporting country;

  2. the necessary precautions were taken after processing to avoid contact of the commodities with any potential source of PPRV.


Article 14.7.25.


Recommendations for importation from countries or zones considered infected with PPRV

For products of animal origin from sheep and goats intended for pharmaceutical or surgical use

Veterinary Authorities should require the presentation of an international veterinary certificate attesting that these products:

  1. come from animals which were slaughtered in an approved slaughterhouse/abattoir and have been subjected to ante- and post-mortem inspections with favourable results;

  2. were processed to ensure the destruction of the PPRV in accordance with one of the procedures referred to in Article 8.8.26. or in Articles 8.8.31. to 8.8.34. as appropriate and in premises controlled and approved by the Veterinary Authority of the exporting country.


Article 14.7.26.


Procedures for the inactivation of the PPRV in casings of sheep and goats

For the inactivation of PPRV in casings of sheep and goats, the following procedures should be used: treatment for at least 30 days either with dry salt (NaCl) or with saturated brine (aw< 0.80), or with phosphate supplemented salt containing 86.5% NaCl, 10.7% Na2HPO4 and 2.8% Na3PO4 (weight/weight/weight), either dry or as a saturated brine (aw< 0.80), and kept at a temperature of 20°C or more during this entire period.


Article 14.7.27.


Introduction to surveillance

Articles 14.7.27. to 14.7.33. define the principles and provide a guide for the surveillance of PPR in accordance with Chapter 1.4. applicable to Member Countries seeking recognition of country or zonal freedom from PPR. Guidance is provided for Member Countries seeking reestablishment of freedom following an outbreak and for the maintenance of PPR free status.

Surveillance strategies employed for demonstrating freedom from PPR at an acceptable level of confidence should be adapted to the local situation. Outbreaks of PPR may vary in severity with differing clinical presentations believed to reflect variations in host resistance and variations in the virulence of the attacking strain. Experience has shown that surveillance based on a predefined set of clinical signs (e.g. searching for ’pneumo-enteritis syndrome’) increases the sensitivity of the system. In the case of peracute cases the presenting sign may be sudden death. In the case of sub-acute (mild) cases, clinical signs are displayed irregularly and are difficult to detect.

Where they exist, susceptible domestic species, and feral populations of these species, should be included in the design of the surveillance strategy.

Surveillance for PPR should be in the form of a continuing programme designed to establish that the whole country or zone is free from PPRV infection.


Article 14.7.28.


General conditions and methods for surveillance

  1. A surveillance system in accordance with Chapter 1.4. should be under the responsibility of the Veterinary Authority. A procedure should be in place for the rapid collection and transport of samples from suspected cases to a laboratory for PPR diagnosis.

  2. The PPR surveillance programme should:

    1. include an early warning system throughout the production, marketing and processing chain for reporting suspected cases. Farmers and workers who have day-to-day contact with livestock, as well as diagnosticians, should report promptly any suspicion of PPR. They should be supported directly or indirectly (e.g. through private veterinarians or veterinary para-professionals) by government information programmes and the Veterinary Authority. All significant epidemiological events consistent with PPR, such as pneumo-enteritis syndrome, should be reported and investigated immediately. Where suspicion cannot be resolved by epidemiological and clinical investigation, samples should be taken and submitted to a laboratory. This requires that sampling kits and other equipment be available to those responsible for surveillance. Personnel responsible for surveillance should be able to call for assistance from a team with expertise in PPR diagnosis and control;

    2. implement, when relevant, regular and frequent clinical inspection and serological testing of high-risk groups of animals, such as those adjacent to a PPRV infected country.

An effective surveillance system will periodically identify animals with signs suggestive of PPR that require follow-up and investigation to confirm or exclude that the cause of the condition is PPRV. The rate at which such suspected cases are likely to occur will differ between epidemiological situations and cannot therefore be predicted reliably. Applications for freedom from PPRV infection should, in consequence, provide details of the occurrence of suspected cases and how they were investigated and dealt with. This should include the results of laboratory testing and the control measures to which the animals concerned were subjected during the investigation (quarantine, movement stand-still orders, etc.).


Article 14.7.29.


Surveillance strategies

  1. Clinical surveillance

    Clinical surveillance aims to detect clinical signs of PPR by close physical examination. Clinical surveillance and epidemiological investigations are the cornerstone of all surveillance systems and should be supported by additional strategies such as virological and serological surveillance. Clinical surveillance may be able to provide a high level of confidence of detection of disease if sufficiently large numbers of clinically susceptible animals are examined. It is essential that clinical cases detected be followed up by the collection of appropriate samples such as ocular and nasal swabs, blood or other tissues for virus isolation or virus detection by other means. Sampling units within which suspicious animals are detected should be classified as infected until fully investigated.

    Active search for clinical disease can include participatory disease searching, tracing backwards and forwards, and follow-up investigations. Participatory surveillance is a form of targeted active surveillance based upon methods to capture livestock owners' perceptions on the prevalence and patterns of disease.

    The labour requirements and the logistical difficulties involved in conducting clinical examinations should be taken into account.

    PPRV isolates may be sent to an OIE Reference Laboratory for further characterisation.

  2. Virological surveillance

    Given that PPR is an acute infection with no known carrier state, virological surveillance should only be conducted as a follow-up to clinically suspected cases.

  3. Serological surveillance

    Serological surveillance aims to detect antibodies against PPRV. Positive antibody test results can have four possible causes:

    1. natural infection with PPRV;

    2. vaccination against PPR;

    3. maternal antibodies derived from an immune dam (maternal antibodies in small ruminants can be found only up to six months of age);

    4. heterophile (cross) and other non-specific reactions.

    It may be possible to use serum collected for other survey purposes for PPR surveillance. However, the principles of survey design described in this chapter and the requirement for a statistically valid survey for the presence of PPRV should not be compromised.

    The discovery of clustering of seropositive reactions should be foreseen. It may reflect any of a series of events, including but not limited to the demographics of the population sampled, vaccinal exposure or the presence of field strain infection. As clustering may signal field strain infection, the investigation of all instances must be incorporated in the survey design.

    The results of random or targeted serological surveys are important in providing reliable evidence that PPRV infection is not present in a country or zone. It is therefore essential that the survey be adequately documented.


Article 14.7.30.


Surveillance in wildlife

Where a population of a susceptible wildlife species may act as sentinels indicating the spill over of PPRV from domestic sheep and goats, serosurveillance data should be collected.

Obtaining meaningful data from surveillance in wildlife can be enhanced by close coordination of activities in a region. Both purposive and opportunistic samplings are used to obtain material for analysis in national or reference laboratories. The latter are required because many countries do not have adequate facilities to perform the full testing protocol for detecting antibodies against PPRV in wildlife sera.

Targeted sampling is the preferred method to provide wildlife data to evaluate the status of infection with PPRV. In reality, the capacity to perform wildlife sampling is minimal in most countries. However, samples can be obtained from hunted animals, and these may provide useful background information.


Article 14.7.31.


Additional surveillance requirements for Member Countries applying for OIE recognition of PPR free status

The strategy and design of the surveillance programme will depend on the prevailing epidemiological circumstances in and around the country or zone and should be planned and implemented in accordance with the conditions for status recognition described in Article 14.7.3. and methods in this chapter, to demonstrate absence of PPRV infection during the preceding 24 months. This requires the support of a laboratory able to undertake identification of PPRV infection through virus, antigen or viral nucleic acid detection and antibody tests.

The target population for surveillance aimed at identifying disease and infection should cover significant populations within the country or zone to be recognised as free from PPRV infection.

The strategy employed should be based on an appropriate combination of randomised and targeted sampling requiring surveillance consistent with demonstrating the absence of PPRV infection at an acceptable level of statistical confidence. The frequency of sampling should be dependent on the epidemiological situation. Risk-based approaches (e.g. based on the increased likelihood of infection in particular localities or species) may be appropriate to refine the surveillance strategy. The Member Country should justify the surveillance strategy chosen as adequate to detect the presence of PPRV infection in accordance with Chapter 1.4. and the epidemiological situation. It may, for example, be appropriate to target clinical surveillance at particular subpopulations likely to exhibit clear clinical signs.

Consideration should be given to the risk factors for the presence of PPRV, including:

  1. historical disease patterns;

  2. critical population size, structure and density;

  3. livestock husbandry and farming systems;

  4. movement and contact patterns, such as market and other trade-related movements;

  5. virulence and infectivity of the strain.

The sample size selected for testing should be large enough to detect infection if it were to occur at a predetermined minimum rate. The sample size and predetermined minimum disease prevalence determine the level of confidence in the results of the survey. The applicant Member Country should justify the choice of design, minimum prevalence and confidence level based on the objectives of surveillance and the epidemiological situation, in accordance with Chapter 1.4. Selection of the minimum prevalence in particular should be based on the prevailing or historical epidemiological situation.

Irrespective of the survey design selected, the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic tests employed are key factors in the design, sample size determination and interpretation of the results obtained.

Irrespective of the testing system employed, surveillance design should anticipate the occurrence of false positive reactions. If the characteristics of the testing system are known, the rate at which these false positives are likely to occur can be calculated in advance. There should be an effective procedure for following-up positives to subsequently determine with a high level of confidence, whether they are indicative of infection or not. This should involve both supplementary tests and follow-up investigation to collect diagnostic material from the original sampling unit as well as herds or flocks which may be epidemiologically linked to it.

The principles involved in surveillance for disease or infection are technically well defined in Chapter 1.4. The design of surveillance programmes to demonstrate the absence of PPRV infection should be carefully followed to ensure the reliability of results. The design of any surveillance programme, therefore, requires inputs from professionals competent and experienced in this field.


Article 14.7.32.


Additional surveillance requirements for recovery of free status

Following an outbreak of PPR in a Member Country at any time after recognition of PPR freedom, the origin of the virus strain should be thoroughly investigated. In particular it is important to determine if this is due to the re-introduction of virus or re-emergence from an undetected focus of infection. Ideally, the virus should be isolated and compared with historical strains from the same area as well as those representatives of other possible sources.

After elimination of the outbreak, a Member Country wishing to regain the free status should undertake surveillance in accordance with this chapter to demonstrate the absence of PPRV infection.


Article 14.7.33.


The use and interpretation of serological tests for serosurveillance of PPR

Serological testing is an appropriate tool to use for PPR surveillance where vaccination has not been practised. There is only one serotype of virus and the tests will detect antibodies elicited by infection with all PPRV but the tests cannot discriminate between antibodies against field infection and those from vaccination with attenuated vaccines. This fact compromises serosurveillance in vaccinated populations and meaningful serosurveillance can only commence once vaccination has ceased for several years. Antibodies against virulent and vaccine strains of PPRV can be detected in small ruminants from about 14 days post infection or vaccination and peak around 30 to 40 days. Antibodies then persist for many years, possibly for life, although titres decline with time.

It is necessary to demonstrate that positive serological results have been adequately investigated.


Article 14.7.34.


OIE endorsed official control programme for PPR

The objective of an OIE endorsed official control programme for PPR is for Member Countries to progressively improve the situation in their territories and eventually attain free status for PPR.

Member Countries may, on a voluntary basis, apply for endorsement of their official control programme for PPR when they have implemented measures in accordance with this article.

For a Member Country’s official control programme for PPR to be endorsed by the OIE, the Member Country should:

  1. submit documented evidence on the capacity of its Veterinary Services to control PPR; this evidence can be provided by countries following the OIE PVS Pathway;

  2. submit documentation indicating that the official control programme for PPR is applicable to the entire territory (even if it is on a zonal basis);

  3. have a record of regular and prompt animal disease reporting in accordance with the requirements in Chapter 1.1.;

  4. submit a dossier on the status of PPR in the country describing the following:

    1. the general epidemiology of PPR in the country highlighting the current knowledge and gaps;

    2. the measures implemented to prevent introduction of infection, the rapid detection of, and response to, all PPR outbreaks in order to reduce the incidence of outbreaks and to eliminate virus circulation in domestic sheep and goats in at least one zone in the country;

    3. the main livestock production systems and movement patterns of sheep and goats and their products within and into the country and, where applicable, the specific zone(s);

  5. submit a detailed plan of the programme to control and eventually eradicate PPR in the country or zone including:

    1. the timeline for the programme;

    2. the performance indicators that will be used to assess the efficacy of the control measures;

  6. submit evidence that PPR surveillance is in place, taking into account the provisions in Chapter 1.4. and the provisions on surveillance in this chapter;

  7. have diagnostic capability and procedures in place, including regular submission of samples to a laboratory;

  8. where vaccination is practised as a part of the official control programme for PPR, provide evidence (such as copies of legislation) that vaccination of sheep and goats in the country or zone is compulsory;

  9. if applicable, provide detailed information on vaccination campaigns, in particular on:

    1. the strategy that is adopted for the vaccination campaign;

    2. monitoring of vaccination coverage, including serological monitoring of population immunity;

    3. serosurveillance in other susceptible species, including wildlife to serve as sentinels for PPRV circulation in the country;

    4. diseasesurveillance in sheep and goat populations;

    5. the proposed timeline for the transition to the cessation of the use of vaccination in order to enable demonstration of absence of virus circulation;

  10. provide an emergency preparedness and contingency response plan to be implemented in case of PPR outbreak(s).

The Member Country’s official control programme for PPR will be included in the list of programmes endorsed by the OIE only after the submitted evidence has been accepted by the OIE. Retention on the list requires an annual update on the progress of the official control programme and information on significant changes concerning the points above. Changes in the epidemiological situation and other significant events should be reported to the OIE in accordance with the requirements in Chapter 1.1.

The OIE may withdraw the endorsement of the official control programme if there is evidence of:

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Contents | Index Chapter 14.6. Chapter 14.8.