Peste des petits ruminants, growing incidence worldwide

of the equator, as well as Asia and the Middle East. It is a major factor of food insecurity for populations reliant on the production of small ruminants. Indeed, sheep and goats play an important role in the rural economy because they can be raised in a range of different production systems, even the most difficult ones. In spite of the huge socioeconomic impact of PPR, the lack of interest paid to the disease since its discovery is largely responsible for its spread. However, the recent changes observed in the geographical distribution of PPR, bringing it close to Europe, as well as in terms of host susceptibility, call for more attention to be paid to the disease. In its acute form, PPR can cause herd mortality of between 80% and 100%. The disease is characterised by a rapid rise in body temperature, lacrimation, nasal discharge and an erosion of mucous membranes (Fig. 1: insert the two photos). In lethal infections, death occurs from bronchopneumonia, diarrhoea and severe dehydration. Although the virus is highly contagious, it can only be transmitted when a healthy animal comes into direct contact with the secretions or excretions of a sick animal. The clinical signs are often confused and exacerbated by secondary bacterial infections that make PPR difficult to diagnose and treat. Geneviève Libeau, Olivier Kwiatek, Renaud Lancelot & Emmanuel Albina French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), BIOS Department, UMR15 CIRAD/INRA CMAEE Control of Exotic and Emerging Animal Diseases, Montpellier, France Peste des petits ruminants, growing incidence worldwide