A scoping review on progression towards freedom from Petits Ruminants (PPR) and the role of the PPR Monitoring and Assessment Tool (PMAT)

Authors: IMANBAYEVA, DINARA - University Of Minnesota; PEREZ-AGUIRREBURUALD, MARIA - University Of Minnesota; KNAUER, WHITNEY - University Of Minnesota; TEGZHANOV, AZIMKHAN - University Of Minnesota; YUSTYNIUK, VALERIIA - University Of Minnesota; Arzt, Jonathan; PEREZ, ANDRES - University Of Minnesota

Submitted to: Viruses
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/24/2025
Publication Date: 4/14/2025
Citation: Imanbayeva, D., Perez-Aguirreburuald, M., Knauer, W., Tegzhanov, A., Yustyniuk, V., Arzt, J., Perez, A. 2025. A scoping review on progression towards freedom from Petits Ruminants (PPR) and the role of the PPR Monitoring and Assessment Tool (PMAT). Viruses. 17:563. https://doi.org/10.3390/v17040563.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/v17040563

Interpretive Summary: Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious viral disease of small ruminants that has broad distribution across Africa and Asia. The virus is closely related to Rinderpest virus which was globally eradicated in 2011. Where PPR exists it severely threatens rural livelihoods and global food security, and is a substantial risk to food production in regions where it does not currently exist. This manuscript assesses the progress of 42 countries in Eastern, Western, and Northern Africa, as well as West Eurasia, toward achieving freedom-from-PPR official status. The findings reveal that most (61.9%) countries in the assessed regions remain in Stage 1 of the Progressive Stepwise Approach, whereas 16.7% have reached Stages 2 and 3, and only 4.8% are in Stage 4. This information helps the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) understand the risks of PPR for agriculture in the United States.

Technical Abstract: Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious viral disease of small ruminants that severely threatens rural livelihoods and global food security. Under the Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs), the international animal health community has set the ambitious goal of eradicating PPR by 2030. However, significant disparities persist in the progression of PPR control across regions. This scoping review assesses the progress of 42 countries in Eastern, Western, and Northern Africa, as well as West Eurasia, toward achieving freedom-from-PPR official status. Progress was evaluated across key areas using the PPR Global Control and Eradication Strategy (GCES) stepwise approach and the PPR Monitoring and Assessment Tool (PMAT). Eligibility criteria included PubMed peer-reviewed studies, Food and Agriculture Orgainization and the World Organisation for Animal Health (FAO/WOAH) reports, presentations, guidelines, and country/region-specific PPR control plans from 2014 through 2024. The data is generated using qualitative and quantitative analyses, including spatial mapping and GCES stepwise progress evaluation. The findings reveal that most (61.9%) countries in the assessed regions remain in Stage 1 of the Progressive Stepwise Approach, whereas 16.7% have reached Stages 2 and 3, and only 4.8% are in Stage 4. Countries in western Eurasia have achieved significant progress towards PPR control, with countries achieving PPR-free status, whereas compared to Eastern and Northern Africa, Western African region remains at early control stages due to infrastructure gaps and resource constraints. Additionally, the recent suspension of PPR-free status in Romania and Greece following disease emergence underscored vulnerabilities in historically free countries. The analysis results reiterate the critical role of regional collaboration, surveillance tools, and integration of wildlife monitoring in advancing PPR control. These insights provide actionable pathways to address persistent barriers, highlighting the importance of adaptable, evidence-based approaches in achieving the global goal of PPR eradication by 2030.