The First Seroprevalence Investigation of Peste Des Petits Ruminants Virus among Sahel Goat in Yobe State, Nigeria

Peste des petits ruminants is among the most common viral disease conditions of small ruminants, whose status has not yet been reported in Yobe State, Nigeria. Thus, this study was aimed at determining the seroprevalence of this disease among Sahel goats in Yobe State, Nigeria, using competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA). Out of 460 serum samples collected, 255/460 (55.4%) were positive for PPR antibodies. Seroprevalence rates of 56.1%, 55.4% and 54.6% were recorded in Bursari, Bade and Nangere Local Government Areas (LGAs) respectively. There was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) observed in the PPRV seroprevalence rates among the three LGAs. Sahel goats older than 18 months had a significantly higher (p<0.0001) Sero-prevalence of 65.2% compared to the 35.3% observed among younger ones (<18 months). The sex-wise distribution of the Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) seroprevalence rate showed that female Sahel goats had 60.0% and the males had 44.6%. The detection of the PPRV among Sahel goats from all the LGAs sampled suggests that PPRV is endemic in the study area. It is therefore recommended that PPR vaccination be instituted in the study areas.