ROME, Italy- African animal-health leaders have called for sustained financing to eradicate a highly contagious livestock disease that causes global economic losses of up to $2.1 billion, approximately Sh271 billion, every year.
Governments, development banks and international partners meeting at the Food and Agriculture Organization headquarters in Rome said political pledges must now be converted into funded vaccination, surveillance and veterinary programmes.
Their target is Peste des Petits Ruminants, commonly known as sheep and goat plague, which threatens millions of pastoralists and smallholder farmers who depend on the animals for food, income and savings.
The disease has been confirmed in more than 70 countries, which collectively hold about 1.7 billion sheep and goats, representing nearly 80 per cent of the global population.
PPR does not infect humans, but its effects extend beyond animal health. Outbreaks can destroy household incomes, disrupt livestock markets, weaken food security and threaten susceptible wildlife.
For families with small herds, losing even a few animals can mean less money for food, healthcare and school fees.
Sh291bn Could Deliver Sh9.9tn in Benefits
A global economic study estimates that a 15-year eradication programme costing approximately $2.26 billion, about Sh291 billion, could generate benefits worth $76.5 billion, approximately Sh9.9 trillion.
That translates to about $33.80 in economic benefits for every dollar invested.
African and international animal-health leaders used the figures to argue that disease prevention should be treated as a long-term investment rather than an emergency expense.
The high-level dialogue was held during the FAO Global Conference for Actions on One Health in Agrifood Systems, which ran from September 21 to 23.
The meeting sought commitments for coordinated and time-bound action against PPR while strengthening control of other livestock diseases.
Vaccines Available but Farmers Still Miss Out
Experts said PPR can be eradicated because safe and affordable vaccines are already available.
The main challenge is delivering quality-assured vaccines and veterinary services to remote, mobile and underserved livestock communities.
This requires reliable vaccine supplies, functioning cold chains, trained veterinary personnel, community participation and systems for monitoring the quality and impact of vaccination campaigns.
PPR eradication efforts are also expected to strengthen laboratories, surveillance networks and veterinary services needed to fight other transboundary diseases, including foot-and-mouth disease, African swine fever and avian influenza.
FAO says eliminating PPR would protect the incomes and assets of an estimated 300 million rural families globally.
Cross-Border Action Required
The leaders warned that individual countries cannot eliminate the disease alone because it spreads across borders through livestock movements, trade routes and shared grazing systems.
They called for greater coordination between neighbouring countries, predictable financing and transparent reporting of vaccination and surveillance results.
African governments are developing costed national plans, strengthening veterinary services and expanding cross-border cooperation.
However, the Rome dialogue heard that national strategies must be translated into measurable field operations backed by domestic and international funding.
Recent regional resolutions have asked African countries to prioritise PPR eradication in their national agricultural investment plans and develop clear financing proposals.
The Pan-African PPR Secretariat is coordinating the continent’s programme with the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources, the African Union Pan-African Veterinary Vaccine Centre, FAO and the World Organisation for Animal Health.
The programme is supported by the European Union and aligned with Africa’s agriculture strategy for 2026–2035.
Participants called on governments, financial institutions, development partners and private investors to finance the measures already identified by countries and regional organisations.
Their message was that eradicating PPR would protect livestock, strengthen food security, preserve rural jobs and improve Africa’s ability to trade animals and livestock products.
