the role of peste des petits ruminants in declining wildlife populations: a serious threat to ecosystems

The objective of the article is to examine the impact of peste des petits ruminants (ppr) in wildlife and its effects on the animal ecosystem. the research method involves a literature review of ppr, focusing on source collection, data analysis, results comparison, and future research recommendations. the sources include scientific articles and guidelines from international organizations. ppr is a viral infection caused by the ppr virus (pprv), primarily affecting goats and sheep. the disease spreads through respiratory droplets and direct contact, leading to symptoms such as fever, discharge, and diarrhea. while vaccines are available, there is no specific treatment, and control measures typically involve quarantine and disinfection. pprv can also infect wild animals, particularly in regions where the disease is prevalent. infections like ppr can negatively impact wild animal populations, resulting in a decrease in their numbers, which can disrupt the balance of ecosystems and affect other species and food chains. reports indicate that camels can contract ppr, showing symptoms similar to those in sheep and goats. additionally, there is evidence of pigs being subclinically infected with ppr, with documented transmission to other species. other animals, including buffalo, gazelles, african wild goats, and ibex, are also susceptible to this disease. ppr is a significant viral disease that primarily affects goats and sheep, but it also poses a threat to various wild animal species. the impact of ppr on both domestic and wild populations can lead to ecological imbalances and threaten biodiversity. further research on ppr related to ruminants and wild animals should be conducted to fully identify the existing strains in wildlife. this identification is essential for understanding the genetic characteristics of pprv strains isolated from nature and also addresses the gaps in the current epidemiological data. additionally, developing a specific vaccination method for wild ruminants could significantly reduce their losses.