Measures supporting PPR eradication
As set out in the PPR GCES, measures that support PPR eradication include vaccination, improved biosecurity, animal identification, movement control, quarantine and stamping out. These various tools are likely to be applied at different levels of intensity as a country moves towards PPR-free status.
SUBCOMPONENT 3.1. Vaccination and other PPR prevention and control measures
Vaccines available currently (live attenuated forms of PPR virus) are highly effective, providing long-lasting protection. Thermostable PPR vaccines are soon expected to be available on a commercial scale. The PPR GEP will support implementation of quality standards for PPR vaccine production and delivery (best practice for storage, shipment and handling). Some countries have not completed full epidemiological assessments for PPR (Stage 1) but are actively vaccinating nevertheless. Consultations will be conducted with these countries to review their vaccination methods and ensure that campaigns are properly planned and resourced, with the involvement of the communities concerned. Depending on the assessment and surveillance data, the vaccination should be time-limited with high coverage (aiming for 100 percent vaccination coverage to achieve the necessary herd immunity in high-risk areas) to achieve elimination of PPR. The goal is to avoid or move away from the low-coverage, annual vaccination campaigns often reported. The vaccination protocol will be based on two successive years followed by the vaccination of young animals (of four months to one year in age) during one or two successive years. A total of around 1.5 billion animals are to be vaccinated during the programme. After each round of vaccination, countries will be encouraged to conduct a Post-Vaccination Evaluation (PVE) and report findings to the FAO/OIE Secretariat.
SUBCOMPONENT 3.2. Demonstrating PPR-free status
Around 79 countries historically free from PPR can get assistance with preparing to apply for OIE-certified PPR-free status, if they so wish, on a historical basis. For countries entering in Stage 4, their surveillance system should be able to provide evidence of the absence of PPRV infection and generate the data required to make this application to the OIE.
SUBCOMPONENT 3.3. Control of other small ruminant diseases in support of PPR eradication
The PPR GCES advocates combining control strategies for PPR with efforts to combat other significant SR diseases, for cost-effectiveness. Where adequate epidemiological data are available, countries will be supported in formulating and implementing control plans for the SRD they wish to prioritize. The decision to combine PPR with other SRD must consider whether adequate epidemiological data are available for the prioritized diseases.