EN
Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a contagious and fatal disease of sheep and goats which significantly affects the production of meat and milk, farm incomes and people’s overall standard of living, contributing to famine and poverty, especially in developing countries of Africa and Asia. This publication presents issues concerning the emergence of this disease of domestic and wild small ruminants, the characteristics of the disease agent and epidemiological situation for over 70 years. The article concentrates on the growing risk of the spread of the disease to new areas. The authors present information concerning the prevention and effective control of the disease, as well as the possibilities of limiting its spread. The latest views on the prospects for developing a global program of eradicating this transboundary animal disease are also discussed.