Seroprevalence and potential risk factors of peste des petits ruminants in goats in Mandhera District, Sahil Region, Somaliland

Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious viral disease of small ruminants that causes significant socio-economic losses globally. In Somaliland, while the disease is known to be endemic, data regarding its status in specific regions like the Sahil region remain fragmented. This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence and identify potential risk factors of Peste des Petits Ruminants virus (PPRV) in unvaccinated goats in the Mandhera district, Sahil region. A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2023 to February 2024. A multi-stage random sampling approach was used to select 522 unvaccinated goats older than 6 months. Serum samples were analyzed using competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (c-ELISA). Epidemiological data were collected via semi-structured questionnaires. Risk factors were identified using univariable and multivariable logistic regression. The overall animal-level seroprevalence was 5.3% (95% CI: 3.0–8.0%). Multivariable analysis revealed that goats from medium-sized flocks (45–100 animals) were significantly more likely to be seropositive (AOR = 5.2, 95% CI: 1.5–14.3, p = 0.003) than those from small flocks. Co-rearing goats with sheep also increased the likelihood of seropositivity (AOR = 4.2, 95% CI: 1.7–15.7, p = 0.047). Conversely, goats in mixed grasslands and older age groups (> 1 year) showed lower odds of seropositivity compared to their respective counterparts. The findings confirm the circulation of PPRV in the Mandhera district. The association of seropositivity with flock size and mixed-species rearing suggests that management practices play a critical role in virus maintenance. Implementation of targeted vaccination and enhanced surveillance are recommended for the Sahil region.