Sero-Prevalence of Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus Antibodies in Sudanese Sheep and Goats before and after Vaccination

Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) antibodies were studied in Sudanese sheep and goats (n = 855) before and after vaccination with a locally produced Nigeria 75/1 vaccine using a commercial competitive ELISA (cELISA) kit. Animals were kept healthy under field conditions, in four states: Blue Nile (n = 250), North Kordofan (n = 189), South Darfur (n = 225) and the Northern State (n = 191). Before vaccination, the overall sero-prevalence of PPRV antibodies was 54.6% (53.2% - 56%, 95% CI); high (64.8% - 76.4%, 95% CI) in Blue Nile State, medium (50.5% - 61.9%, 95% CI) in North Kordofan State and South Darfur State and low (28.6% - 35.2% 95%, CI) in Northern State. In high-risk areas (high sero-prevalence), Blue Nile (70.4%) and North Kordofan (57.7%), middle age groups (7 - 12 and 13 - 18 months) were identified as high-risk age. Middle age groups showed lower sero-prevalence than preceding (3 - 6 months) and subsequent (>18 months) age groups while the risk of exposure increased with age. Current and previous findings suggested a transmission pathway of PPRV involving the South Eastern border (Blue Nile) and neighbouring Central Sudan to North Kordofan. One month after vaccination 88.4% (343/388) of sero-negative animals were sero-converted suggesting the efficacy of the locally produced Nigeria 75/1 vaccine. Even if only individuals in the high-risk age group (7 - 18 months) were vaccinated, the overall population immunity (OPI) in high-risk areas (the Blue Nile and North Kordofan) would have surpassed the threshold of 70%, which is indicated for blocking PPRV transmission. However, lower vaccination coverage is expected in wider vaccination programmes. These findings primarily justified the targeting of PPR control in Sudan through the vaccination of high-risk age groups in high-risk areas.