NAIROBI,Kenya, Sep 24— African animal-health leaders are seeking sustained financing for a campaign to eradicate a deadly disease of sheep and goats, arguing that investment in vaccination, surveillance and veterinary services could deliver billions of dollars in economic benefits.

📻 Breaking It Down

The push to eliminate Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) comes as the disease causes annual global economic losses of up to $2.1 billion, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

PPR has been confirmed in more than 70 countries, covering regions that are home to about 1.7 billion sheep and goats which is roughly 80 per cent of the world’s total.

At a meeting in Rome, leaders called on governments, international financial institutions, development banks and private investors to provide sustained funding for vaccination campaigns, disease surveillance and veterinary services needed to eliminate the virus.

📌 What You Need to Know

The disease, commonly known as sheep and goat plague, does not infect humans but can devastate livestock herds and the livelihoods of pastoralists and smallholder farmers who depend on sheep and goats for food, income and household assets.

FAO says PPR can infect up to 90 per cent of a susceptible herd and kill up to 70 per cent of infected animals.

A global economic assessment estimates that a 15-year eradication programme costing $2.26 billion could generate benefits worth about $76.5 billion.

That translates to an estimated $33.80 in economic benefits for every $1 invested.

The investment would finance measures including vaccination, surveillance, diagnostics, cold-chain infrastructure and veterinary services.

Experts said the availability of effective and affordable vaccines means eradication is technically achievable, but reaching livestock in remote and mobile pastoralist communities remains a major challenge.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya