A Clinical, Pathological, Epidemiological and Molecular Investigation of Recent Outbreaks of Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus in Domestic and Wild Small Ruminants in the Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a contagious disease in domestic small ruminants. The virus can also infect wildlife, with unknown roles in PPR epidemiology. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the previously published reports were from wildlife only. This is a first report from the UAE describing PPRV in domestic small ruminants. From four outbreak notifications, the disease is investigated by clinical, pathological, and molecular studies. We found that the clinical and pathological forms of the disease were almost identical in all examined animals and compliant to the classical forms of the disease. Phylogenetic analysis based on the N gene and F gene classified the virus within Asian lineage IV. ABSTRACT: (1) Background: Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious animal disease affecting small ruminants, leading to significant economic losses. There has been little published data on PPR virus (PPRV) infection in the United Arab Emirates (UAE); (2) Methods: four outbreaks reported in goats and Dama gazelle in 2021 were investigated using pathological and molecular testing; (3) Results: The infected animals showed symptoms of dyspnea, oculo-nasal secretions, cough, and diarrhea. Necropsy findings were almost similar in all examined animals and compliant to the classical forms of the disease. Phylogenetic analysis based on N gene and F gene partial sequences revealed a circulation of PPRV Asian lineage IV in the UAE, and these sequences clustered close to the sequences of PPRV from United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Iran; (4) Conclusions: PPRV Asian lineage IV is currently circulating in the UAE. To the best of our knowledge, this is a first study describing PPRV in domestic small ruminant in the UAE.