PPR in Central and Eastern Asia/West Eurasia: epidemiological situation and status of control and eradication activities after the 1st phase of the PPR Global Eradication Programme (2017–2021)

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious infectious disease of small ruminants caused by peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV). PPR poses a significant threat to sheep and goat systems in over 65 endemic countries across Africa, the Middle East and Asia. PPR is also responsible for devastating outbreaks in susceptible wildlife, threatening biodiversity. For these reasons, PPR is the target of a Global Eradication Programme (PPR GEP), launched in 2016, aimed at eradicating the disease by 2030. The end of the first five-year phase of the PPR GEP (2017–2021) provides an ideal opportunity to assess progress towards eradication. This work provides an update on PPR GEP implementation in one of the nine regions stipulated in the PPR Global Control and Eradication Strategy, denominated Central Asia/West Eurasia, and also includes four additional countries based on their inclusion in regional meetings and on shared epidemiological features. Thus, the countries analysed are Armenia, Azerbaijan, China, Georgia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Data were synthesised from Regional Roadmap and Consultation meetings, PPR Monitoring and Assessment Tool (PMAT) self-assessments, open-access databases, academic literature and countries’ veterinary services. Substantial heterogeneity is apparent in terms of PPR presence and control strategies amongst countries. Within the region, one country is officially recognised as PPR-free, seven countries have never reported PPR, and two have had no outbreaks in the last five years. Therefore, there is real potential for countries in this region to move forward in a coordinated manner to secure official PPR freedom status and thus reap the associated trade and socio-economic benefits. The achievements and constraints encountered at regional and national levels are summarised, providing an important basis for tailoring the next steps of PPR GEP to the peculiarities of the region.