Flock Level Economic Loss Due to Peste Des Petits Ruminants Outbreak in Transhumance Sheep and Goat Population in Himachal Pradesh (India)

Background: Quantification of economic losses due animal diseases like peste-des-petits ruminants (PPR) helps in visualizing the impact of the disease in relational context as well as assist in prioritizing the disease control/eradication options. This study aimed to estimate the farm-level economic losses due to the disease in the state of Himachal Pradesh and carry out a cost-benefit analysis of control programme through vaccination. Methods: An investigation was carried out on an outbreak of PPR in transhumance small ruminant population in Himachal Pradesh (HP). The incidence rates of PPR as obtained in the study were projected to the small ruminant population in the state. Result: The overall morbidity and mortality rates were 36.85% and 27.69% and 25.32% and 1.44%, in goats and sheep, respectively. The estimated annual economic loss due to PPR in HP was INR 2495 million (under high incidence scenario). Under moderate and low incidence rate assumptions, the total losses were estimated at INR 1871 million and INR 1265 million, respectively. Benefit-cost analysis of vaccination against the disease in the state was carried out and the Benefit-Cost Ratios (BCR), ranging between 43:1 to 198:1 revealed the economic feasibility of investment made in PPR control.