Mali Launches Ambitious Campaign to Protect Small Livestock from PPR Threat
[Placeholder for image: A veterinarian vaccinating a goat in a rural Sahelian setting]
NIORO, Mali – Authorities in Mali’s Nioro region have initiated a large-scale, three-month vaccination campaign targeting Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), a highly contagious and often fatal viral disease affecting sheep and goats. The campaign, which aims to immunize more than 900,000 animals free of charge, represents a critical effort to safeguard food security and the economic livelihoods of rural communities.
A Strategic Blow Against a Devastating Disease
Launched on November 18, 2025, the operation was inaugurated by the regional governor, who administered the first vaccine dose. The campaign is financially backed by the PRAPS 2 project (Regional Support Project for the Pastoral Sector in the Sahel), underscoring the transnational importance of controlling the disease in the West African region.
PPR, commonly known as sheep and goat plague, can have a mortality rate of up to 90% in naive herds, making it a significant threat to the millions of families who depend on small ruminants for their survival. The disease causes high fever, respiratory distress, and severe diarrhea, leading to rapid dehydration and death.
Beyond Vaccination: The Broader Economic and Social Context
This vaccination drive is more than a veterinary intervention; it is a strategic investment in regional stability. In the Sahel, livestock are not merely assets but are integral to cultural identity and serve as a primary safety net for families. A major PPR outbreak can decimate herds, pushing already vulnerable households deeper into poverty and food insecurity.
By creating a buffer of immunity, the campaign helps to:
Protect Household Incomes: Healthy animals can be sold for higher prices, used for milk and meat, and serve as a form of savings.
Enhance Regional Trade: Controlling PPR is essential for complying with international animal health standards, which in turn facilitates cross-border trade and improves market access for Malian pastoralists.
Support Global Eradication Goals: This effort aligns with the global strategy led by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to eradicate PPR by 2030. Success in Mali is a crucial step toward this international objective.
The Path Forward and Challenges
While the launch marks a significant commitment, the success of such a campaign hinges on effective logistics, including maintaining the vaccine cold chain in remote areas and ensuring community participation. The three-month timeline suggests a concerted, intensive effort to reach a critical mass of the animal population and build herd immunity.
This initiative in Nioro serves as a model for other regions in Mali and the wider Sahel, demonstrating that with targeted funding and political will, tangible progress can be made against a disease that has long plagued smallholder farmers.
This report is based on information first published by Bamada.net, citing Studio Tamani as its source.