The outbreak of a highly contagious animal disease known as PPR in Khabr National Park, Kerman Province, will turn into a crisis if timely action is not taken by relevant authorities, a provincial official at the Department of Environment warned.
Peste Des Petits Ruminants, also known as sheep and goat plague, is a viral animal disease most common in Africa, Middle East and Asia. It does not infect humans.
The first case of the disease in the current Iranian year (began March 21) was reported in late June in Kerman. Later, a young sheep showed the symptoms of PPR and died. Iran’s Veterinary Organization examined the carcass and confirmed the infection with the PPR virus a few days later.
Reportedly, the virus has so far claimed the lives of some 50 wild goats and sheep in the region.
Reza Jazinizadeh, head of Kerman’s DOE office, called for an immediate crisis management meeting with officials from the governorate, the Veterinary Organization and medical universities to stem the spread of PPR.
“The disease is spreading fast and the authorities’ negligence will pose a serious threat to humans as well as domestic and wild animals,” he told IRNA.
July 14, 2018 16:24
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Virulent Plague Threatens Wildlife, Livestock in Kerman
The contagious disease that has so far claimed the lives of 50 wild goats and sheep is likely to spread further if not contained in time
The lingering drought has forced wildlife to travel across a wider area in search of food and water, and thus share plains and water troughs with domestic animals, increasing the risk of common contagious illnesses
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