Effects of Vaccination on the Prevalence of Peste Des Petits Ruminants (PPR) in Small Ruminants in Taraba State, Nigeria

Abstract

An investigation was conducted in order to determine the distribution of Peste Des Petits Ru'minants (PPR) and vaccination efforts in Taraba State of Nigeria using data collected from the Veterinary Services Department of the State's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development between 1992 and 1998. The results showed that the disease is most prevalent during the cold months of the year (Hamattan) and beginning of the rainy season. Similarly, outbreaks increased with the relaxation of vaccination campaign programmes. It was observed that the number of outbreak was low when a vaccination using Tissue-Culture-Rinderpest Vaccine (TCRV) was intensified and it increases when the vaccination was relaxed. It was concluded from this study that intensive vaccination campaign of small ruminants against the PPR through provision of adequate facilities, TCRV vaccines, training offield workers and mass enlightenment campaign in the villages are paramount to control menace of the disease in Nigeria.