Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR): What Meat Traders Need to Know

In the meat trade business, knowing what diseases are circulating in livestock markets isn’t just useful—it’s critical. One of the most serious threats to the small ruminant trade, especially in Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia, is Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR). If you deal with sheep or goats—live or processed—you need to understand this disease and what it could mean for your business.

What Is PPR?

Peste des Petits Ruminants, often called “goat plague,” is a highly contagious viral disease that affects goats and sheep. It causes fever, mouth sores, diarrhea, pneumonia, and high death rates—especially in young animals.

It does not affect humans, but it can wipe out entire herds. Mortality can reach 80–100% in severe outbreaks, making it one of the deadliest diseases for small ruminants.

Why Meat Traders Should Care

Supply Chain Risk: If an outbreak hits a region you source from, live animal movements can be banned overnight. Markets can shut down.
Meat Availability Drops: With high death rates and movement restrictions, the local supply of goat and sheep meat can dry up fast.
Price Volatility: When supply is low due to outbreaks, meat prices spike. That can hurt buyers—or benefit sellers—depending on how you’re positioned.
Cross-Border Trade Gets Hit: Many countries now require PPR-free certification for imports. If your supplier region has PPR, access to key markets can be cut off.

Where Is PPR a Problem?

PPR is endemic in:

Most of Africa (except the southern tip)
The Middle East
India and neighboring countries
Parts of Asia and Europe (first confirmed in Europe in 2016)

If you’re trading animals or meat in or from these regions, you need to keep track of outbreaks.

How It Spreads

PPR spreads via close contact—mainly through respiratory droplets and bodily secretions.
Markets, transport trucks, and gatherings (like festivals or religious slaughter events) are high-risk transmission points.
Free-roaming animals in urban or peri-urban areas also help spread the virus.

There is no carrier state, meaning animals don’t stay infectious long-term—but during outbreaks, the virus moves fast.

Symptoms to Watch For

If you’re handling or inspecting live animals, signs of PPR include:

High fever (up to 41°C / 106°F)
Nasal and eye discharge
Mouth sores, bad breath
Severe diarrhea
Coughing and pneumonia
Weakness, dehydration, and sudden death

Animals usually die within 5–10 days if severely affected.

How It’s Diagnosed

In formal settings, vets use lab tests like PCR or ELISA to confirm PPR. But in the field, sudden deaths, clusters of sick animals, and classic symptoms are often enough to raise the alarm.

Control and Prevention

There is no treatment, only supportive care. But the good news: there is a highly effective vaccine that provides long-term immunity.

International bodies like the WOAH and FAO are pushing for global eradication of PPR by 2030, using mass vaccination campaigns.

What Meat Traders Should Do

Source Responsibly: Work with suppliers and regions that vaccinate their animals or are officially PPR-free.
Stay Updated on Outbreaks: Monitor animal health alerts from organizations like WOAH, FAO, or local veterinary services.
Verify Health Status: Make sure any live animals you trade come with proper health certification.
Limit Risk During Festivals: PPR outbreaks often spike during high-trade seasons. Be cautious when buying during peak times like Eid or other major animal consumption holidays.
Push for Vaccination: If you operate your own herds or work closely with farms, insist on vaccination—it protects your investment.

In Summary

PPR is a deadly, fast-spreading disease that can cripple meat supply chains. With no cure, prevention through vaccination and movement control is the best defense. For meat traders, staying informed and sourcing smart is key to avoiding losses and keeping your business moving.

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