Libreville, Gabon – February 19-20, 2025
Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) remains a major threat to livestock health in Africa, impacting millions of people who depend on small ruminants for income and food security. Sheep and goats play a vital role in Central Africa, where diverse livestock—including cattle, camels, aquatic animals, and wildlife—are essential to rural economies. These animals serve as critical safety nets for vulnerable populations, particularly women, children, and pastoralist groups in arid and semi-arid regions. However, PPR, a highly contagious and often fatal disease, continues to devastate small ruminant herds, leading to severe socioeconomic disruptions and restrictions on trade.
Regional Initiative to Combat PPR
A regional stakeholder meeting is set to take place in Libreville, Gabon, on February 19-20, 2025. This inaugural gathering aims to strengthen efforts in eradicating PPR and controlling other priority diseases affecting small ruminants. The event will be a significant milestone in advancing the Pan-African Programme for PPR Eradication, led by the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) in collaboration with the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and key international partners, including the FAO and WOAH.
Objectives and Expected Outcomes
The Libreville meeting seeks to:
- Raise awareness of PPR eradication efforts and their significance for regional livestock development.
- Present the Pan-African Programme for PPR eradication and strategies for controlling other small ruminant diseases.
- Provide an update on the epidemiological situation of PPR in Central Africa.
- Identify challenges hindering progress in PPR eradication and develop updated strategic action plans.
- Establish and validate the 2025 work plan for PPR control activities in the region.
Additionally, discussions will explore how PPR eradication aligns with ECCAS’s broader livestock development programs and its collaboration with AU-IBAR in addressing transboundary animal diseases (TADs).
Expected Results
Key outcomes of the meeting include:
- Strengthened understanding of the Pan-African PPR eradication programme.
- Increased stakeholder awareness and commitment to disease control efforts.
- Development of targeted control activities for Central Africa.
- Enhanced regional coordination and collaboration among member states.
- Identification of potential funding sources for national PPR control initiatives.
Agenda Highlights
The meeting will feature plenary discussions, expert presentations, and group sessions. Key topics will include:
- Regional PPR strategy and current epidemiological data.
- Disease control measures and intervention approaches.
- Review of ongoing activities and strategies for alignment.
- Role of diagnostic laboratories in disease control.
- Exploration of funding mechanisms for national eradication programs.
Participants
The event will bring together key stakeholders from ECCAS member states, including:
- Directors of Veterinary Services.
- Representatives from livestock breeding industries.
- Animal health authorities.
- Regional organizations such as CEBEVIRHA.
- International partners, including AU-IBAR, FAO, and WOAH.
Conclusion
The Libreville meeting represents a critical step in the fight against PPR in Central Africa. By fostering collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and strategic planning, this initiative aims to safeguard the livelihoods of small-scale livestock farmers while enhancing regional food security and resilience. The successful implementation of PPR eradication strategies will contribute to broader goals of sustainable livestock development and economic stability across the continent.
The Global Effort to Eradicate PPR
PPR is a devastating viral disease that has caused significant economic losses in Africa, severely affecting rural communities. In response, the OIE and FAO have set a global target to eradicate PPR by 2030 through the Global Strategy for its Control and Eradication (GCES-PPR), which includes regional platforms to curb the cross-border spread of the disease.
To support this global initiative, the African Union has updated its Pan-African Strategy to ensure coordinated action across the continent. In Central Africa, ECCAS plays a key role in livestock development and animal health policies, with its Regional Centre for Animal Health (SARC-AC) leading interventions that align with both regional and global eradication objectives.
