STRENGTHENING LIVELIHOODS THROUGH LIVESTOCK VACCINATIONS

Background
Peste des Petits Ruminants, PPR (or goat plague), is caused by a virus from the Paramyxoviridae family (genus Morbillivirus) and is very similar to Rinderpest. The virus affects primarily goats and sheep and is highly contagious and frequently fatal - it causes mortalities of between 50 and 80% of susceptible populations. The disease has circulated within Southern Sudan for a number of years and has now been identified in the Toposa herds along the Kenya/Tanzanian border.

Problems
During a serious outbreak of RVF in Kenya and Tanzania in late 2006, it became clear that there was a lack of preparedness on how to deal with disease outbreaks.
There is a lack of education among the pastoralist community on the importance of vaccination. Most vaccinate their animals only after the onset of an outbreak. The quarantine imposed on livestock movement in the north-east means the livestock market remains closed, driving down prices and marginalising livestock traders.
The Government of Tanzania has requested VETAID’s help in providing vaccines for the creation of a buffer zone along the border with Kenya. The government have asked for our help since they do not have the budget to carry out such a large-scale campaign without assistance.

Project Aims
The project contributes to the sustainability of rural livelihoods for households that are partially or wholly dependent on small ruminant production. Mortality in sheet and goat will be reduced by 50%, increasing food security for vulnerable households in the districts.
The prevention of PPR is ongoing, with initial activities being carried out at the border with Kenya. We aim to cover all areas along the border that require assistance.

Project Activities

• Emergency vaccination of 300,000 small ruminants against PPR and other fatal diseases.
• Creation of a buffer zone to prevent further spread of the disease southwards.
• Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs) will be trained to recognise, diagnose and treat these diseases to help prevent any future outbreaks. They will work in collaboration with government ministries and private veterinarians to access the vaccines and implement the vaccination campaign.
• Awareness raising to support future control and monitoring of the disease – for example a weekly radio programme will be aired on disease control in the local community, encouraging community participation to spot fresh outbreaks.

Beneficiaries
15,000 households will directly benefit from this project. With an average household comprising of 5 people, this means that 75,000 individuals will benefit from the activities.

Sustainability of the Project
The awareness raising element of this project will ensure that communities have the knowledge and skills to deal with disease outbreaks in future. Monitoring and control of PPR and other diseases is promoted by increased awareness through:

• Training of veterinarians and other animal health service providers on recognition, diagnosis and prevention or spread of PPR and other diseases.
• Training of traders on the role of trade in the spread of the diseases and the consequences.
• Activities to raise awareness of the diseases at community level through, for example, the radio broadcasts.

The involvement and capacity building of government staff and local private veterinarians will strengthen the local capacity to contain and manage future outbreaks.