Seroprevalence of Peste des Petits Ruminants and associated risk factors among unvaccinated small ruminants in selected communes of Benin

Peste des Petits Ruminants in Benin is a contagious transboundary viral disease that affects domestic and wild small ruminants. A cross-sectional study was conducted in June 2024 in six Communes in North Benin (Malanville, Parakou), Central Benin (Dassa-Zoumè, Bohicon) and South Benin (Abomey-Calavi, Aplahoué). The study aimed to assess seroprevalence and associated risk factors, such as species and commune. A total of 900 serum samples were collected from 458 sheep and 442 goats with no history of PPR vaccination in the past year. The serum samples were screened with a hemagglutinin-based PPR blocking ELISA (HPPR-b ELISA). The overall true seroprevalence of PPRV was 37.44% (95% CI: 34.28–40.60) for sheep and 28.35% (95% CI: 25.41–31.30) for goats. The comparative seroprevalence of PPRV antibodies via regression analysis revealed a significantly greater seroprevalence between the reference commune of Aplahoué, which has a low ruminant density, and Communes of transit, such as Malanville (p = 0.000), Dassa (p = 0.006) and Abomey-Calavi (p = 0.000). There is no significant difference between the rates in Aplahoué, Parakou (p = 0.592) and Bohicon (p = 0.154). These results suggest geographical heterogeneity in serological risk, which is likely linked to local exposure factors. This study recommends routine vaccination in herds without PPRV, continuous surveillance at the national level, and genetic research.