Dear colleagues:

I am very glad to read your contributions and comments. From my experiences as a veterinarian working for Sudan government and a currently a researcher in PPR epidemiology for three years, I supposed that PPR eradication could be possible, if we could achieve the following; 
First: Revising all the published researches that investigat PPR epidemiology, to address the risk factors which associated with the disease in particular the climatic and ecological factors in general and for a region or a country and even a state. In my country Sudan we have  sheep and goats reared in open pastures within different ecological zones with different types of wildlife]. 
Second: Determining the prevalence as advised by many colleagues but it could be  not presice enough , becuase in many seroprevalense studies we couldnt determine if the positivity is due natural infection or due vaccination, I suggest to be compared with the outbreaks notifications to veterinary authorities,
 
Third: Evaluate the previous national and regional policies in controlling PPR to determine the gaps and approve the positive efforts in the eradication programmes. This could be a cheived by evaluating the vaccine efficacy and claculating the vaccine coverage[This is very important because sometimes we go over big numbers of vaccinated animals but when comparing to sheep and goats populations in states it could be under 40% or even 20% of the whole population].
 
Fourth: Coordinating control and eradication activities and efforts with regional countries at least with countries sharing borders, as we all know in our continent Africa, transhumance and trade herds could represent a potential source for many diseases and their movement couldn`t be subject to full monitoring.
Fifth: Enhancing the reporting and notification channel, specially for countries with wide areas and many states and shortening this channel for providing precise data about disease and gaining a rapid responce and
Finally: Efforts and commitment  should be devoted from country`s veterinary authorities to guarantee a sustainable acivities for control and monitoring for future outbreaks.
 
                with best regards,


 
 
Huyam Salih
B.V.Sc, MTAH, PhD student
Veterinary Epidemiology
Sudan- Khartoum
00249 121174702



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