The Molecular Biological Characterization of Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus and Its Prevalence in the World

Peste des petits ruminants(PPR) caused by peste des petits ruminants virus(PPRV),which belongs to Morbillivirus,Paramyxoviridae,is an acute and highly contagious viral disease of small ruminants such as sheep and goats and causes great economic impact on livestock industry.It was first described in Cote d'Ivoire in West Africa,and spread to most part of Africa and Asia,involving more than 40 countries in all.The viruses transmitted in Asia are of the same lineage while the PPRV in different districts are divided into 4 lineages.In 2007,4 outbreaks of goats infected by PPRV were reported in Ali district in Tibet,where several rare and endangered wild steppes are living,which are probably reservoirs that can transmit or infect PPRV.If so,the migration habits of these steppes may cause endemics of PPR.Here,biological features,epidemiological characteristics,and control measures of PPRV are summarized,which may be helpful for assessing the risk of PPR to wild steppes and taking appropriate measures to control and prevent PPR.