Success Story of PPR Laboratory of ICAR-NIVEDI
In a significant milestone for veterinary science in India, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has designated the Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) Research Laboratory of ICAR - National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (ICAR-NIVEDI) as a WOAH Reference Laboratory for PPR during the 91st World Assembly of WOAH Delegates on May 30, 2024. The ICAR-NIVEDI's designation as one of the four WOAH Reference Laboratories for PPR underscores its pivotal role in global efforts to control and eradicate this disease.
Achievements and Importance
Dr Baldev R. Gulati, Director of ICAR-NIVEDI, highlighted the importance of this achievement. This achievement underscores ICAR-NIVEDI's commitment to improving global animal health and supporting agricultural economies worldwide, setting the stage for future successes in veterinary epidemiology and disease control.
Dr. V. Balamurugan, Principal Scientist, is the designated expert for the laboratory, which will play a critical role in monitoring, surveillance, diagnostic support, and capacity building for PPR across India and neighbouring countries. The laboratory is ISO 17025:2017 accredited, with its proficiency testing regularly endorsed by international agencies.
Contributors
This achievement was made possible through the dedicated efforts of ICAR-NIVEDI's ISO team of scientists (Dr V Balamurugan, Dr SS Patil, Dr J Hiremath) of the Institute. Special recognition is due to Dr Raghavendra Bhatta, DDG Animal Science, ICAR, and Dr Abhijit Mitra, Animal Husbandry Commissioner, DAHD, Government of India, for their invaluable contributions. Dr Alka Upadhyay, Secretary AHD, played a vital role in getting this recognition as WOAH India delegate.
About the Laboratory
ICAR-NIVEDI is a premier national institute in India dedicated to the surveillance and monitoring of livestock diseases and animal health information. The institute specializes in epidemiology, forecasting, and economic analysis of livestock diseases, including zoonoses. The PPR Research Laboratory has been a part of the WOAH Reference Laboratory Network for PPR since 2020.
Dr V Balamurugan, the designated Expert, will be supported by Dr P. Krishnamoorthy and Dr N. Shivasharanappa. The PPR Research Laboratory is equipped with cutting-edge facilities for genomic characterization, molecular diagnostics, and large-scale surveillance. The laboratory supports the Government of India's goal of eradicating PPR by 2030 under the National Strategic Plan (NSP), in alignment with the PPR Global Eradication Programme (GEP).
Aims and Objectives of the Laboratories
- Enhancing Diagnostic Capabilities: Develop and implement advanced diagnostic technologies to improve the speed and accuracy of PPR diagnosis and expand diagnostic services to support neighbouring countries in disease control efforts.
- Capacity Building and Training: Organize regular training programs and workshops for veterinarians and researchers to enhance diagnostic and epidemiological skills, and develop educational materials and technical guidelines for effective disease control.
- Advancing Research and Development: Conduct pioneering research on transmission dynamics, vaccine efficacy, and molecular epidemiology. Collaborate with international reference laboratories to share expertise and best practices.
- Global Health Initiatives Support: Contribute to WOAH’s mission by providing high-quality diagnostics, engaging in impactful research, and building veterinary community capacity. Promote collaborative approaches to ensure livestock and public health well-being.
Understanding Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR): A Threat to Livestock and Economies
Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), commonly referred to as 'Goat Plague', is a contagious viral disease that primarily affects goats and sheep. Caused by the PPR virus, a member of the Morbillivirus genus, this disease is characterized by severe symptoms such as fever, sores in the mouth, diarrhea, pneumonia, and in severe cases, can lead to high mortality rates. PPR is particularly devastating in developing countries where small ruminants are essential for the livelihoods of farmers and local communities.
First identified in Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa in 1942, PPR was initially considered a regional disease confined to Western and Central Africa. However, its spread has expanded significantly over the years. Today, PPR is endemic across a broad geographic area, including Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, the Middle East, and various countries in Central Asia, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and China. The PPR virus has four recognized genotypes—labeled I, II, III, and IV. While all four genotypes are found in Africa, only genotype IV has been reported in Asian countries.
India launched a national control program in 2010, with the goal of eradicating PPR by 2030, following the successful eradication of Rinderpest. The program's strategy involves vaccinating all susceptible goats and sheep, as well as their subsequent three generations. This initiative has shown promising results, with a notable decline in PPR cases in India. However, achieving complete eradication requires a coordinated, comprehensive national effort. ICAR-NIVEDI plays a pivotal role in the surveillance and monitoring of PPR as part of the national eradication program under the Critical Animal Disease Control Program (CADCP) of the Livestock Health and Disease Control Program (LH&DCP) Scheme of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Government of India. The fight against PPR is not only a matter of animal health but also of securing the livelihoods of millions and safeguarding national economies.