Sierra Leone updates PPR eradication strategy

SIERRA LEONE – Sierra Leone has validated an updated National Strategic Plan (NSP) to eradicate Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), strengthening the country’s efforts to protect sheep and goat production while contributing to Africa’s goal of eliminating the disease by 2030.

The revised strategy, validated during a national review workshop held in Kenema on June 4-5, 2026, will serve as Sierra Leone’s roadmap for improving disease surveillance, expanding vaccination campaigns, strengthening stakeholder coordination and mobilising resources for PPR eradication.

The updated plan comes as African countries intensify efforts to control the highly contagious viral disease affecting sheep and goats, which causes significant economic losses in livestock-dependent communities.

The review process was led by Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security through the Livestock and Veterinary Services Division, with technical support from the Pan-African PPR Secretariat (PAPS), hosted by the African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) and funded by the European Union.

Speaking during the validation process, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Sahr Hemore reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the livestock sector through the Feed Salone initiative. 

This is Sierra Leone’s flagship programme aimed at improving food security, increasing agricultural productivity, and supporting rural development.

The updated strategy is expected to guide interventions to reduce the impact of PPR on livestock producers and improve the resilience of animal production systems across the country.

Disease remains a major threat to sheep and goat production

PPR, commonly known as goat plague, is one of the most economically important transboundary animal diseases affecting small ruminants across Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

The disease can cause high mortality rates in sheep and goat populations, reducing household incomes, limiting livestock productivity and threatening food security, particularly among rural communities that depend heavily on small ruminants for meat, milk and income generation.

By strengthening surveillance and vaccination programmes, Sierra Leone aims to reduce disease outbreaks and safeguard livestock assets that support thousands of farming households.

The validation workshop brought together government officials, veterinary professionals, livestock producer organisations, private sector stakeholders, academics and development partners to review and endorse the final strategy document.

Dr Perdita Lopes, PPR Regional Coordinator for ECOWAS and representative of the Pan-African PPR Secretariat, stressed the importance of updating national eradication strategies to reflect changing disease risks and operational realities.

She highlighted the need for strong partnerships, coordinated action, and sustained investment to accelerate progress toward eradicating PPR and protect the livelihoods of livestock keepers.

This is particularly among women and youth, who play a critical role in small ruminant production systems.

Supporting Africa’s PPR2030 target

The validation of Sierra Leone’s updated strategy aligns with the continental PPR2030 programme, which seeks to eradicate the disease globally by the end of the decade.

The initiative is jointly supported by the African Union, regional economic communities, national governments and international development partners as part of broader efforts to strengthen animal health systems and improve livestock sector productivity.

For Sierra Leone, successful implementation of the strategy is expected to contribute not only to improved animal health but also to wider goals of food security, poverty reduction and rural economic development.

The updated strategy positions Sierra Leone to strengthen the resilience of its sheep and goat industries while supporting regional efforts to eliminate one of the most damaging diseases affecting small ruminant production.

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