Sero-Prevalence and Risk Factors of Diffusion of Peste des Petits Ruminants in Cameroon

The present study was carried out between April 2015 and January 2016 to estimate the sero-prevalence and identify the risk factors of the peste des petits ruminants (PPR) in Cameroon. A total of 269 herds randomly sampled across the country have been studied and 1622 samples of serum have been levied on the sheep and goat. The c-ELISA has been studied in order to detect the presence of antibodies in small ruminants like an indicator of exposition to PPRV. The results revealed the circulation of PPRV in the country with a total sero-prevalence of 39% [95%CI; 37 - 41] and a sero-prevalence of 63.2% [95%CI; 57.2 - 69.2] at the herd level. Sero-prevalence was variable in the ten regions ranging from 7% [95% CI; 6.2 - 8.4] to 73% [95% CI; 62 - 84] with the northern zone (Adamawa, North and Far-North) having 52.3% [95% CI; 37 - 60] and southern zone (including the remaining seven regions) recording 29% [95% CI; 11 - 57]. Similarly, it was higher in animals found in urban/peri-urban areas than in rural areas with prevalence ratio of 2.9 [95% CI 2.54 - 3.4; p i.e. 3 times more, 1.6 [95% CI 1.36 - 1.90; p i.e. 1.6 times more, and 5.02 [95% CI 3.91 - 6.85; p i.e. 5 times more at national level, in the northern zone and in the southern area, respectively. Five risk factors have been identified: the breeding environment, introduction of new animals into the herds, gathering of animals for pasture and watering, wandering and transhumance. The breeding area appeared to be the most important risk factor associated with disease exposure. The control measures for the eradication of this disease must take into account the epidemiological situation, the breeding environment, animal transhumance and breeding system.