Govt sets aside Ksh 200 million to eradicate ‘goat plague’

The government has affirmed its commitment to eradicate Peste des petits ruminants (PPR), a viral livestock disease also known as ‘goat plague’ by 2027.

The government has set aside Ksh 200 million for the project and it targets 14 pastoral counties.

In a move to fight Peste des petits ruminants PPR, 2000 goats were vaccinated in Isiolo and Samburu counties.

The government says by 2027 the disease which mostly affects goats will be wiped out in all the 14 pastoralist counties.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri called on the County government to put in more resources to fighting the disease.

He encouraged farmers to ensure their livestock as the government is willing to compensate those who lose their animals to diseases.

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR), also known as ‘goat plague’, is a viral disease of goats and sheep characterized by fever, sores in the mouth, diarrhea, pneumonia, and sometimes death.

PPR is a disease listed in the World organization for animal health and countries are obligated to report the disease to the OIE according to the criteria (OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code).

The disease occurs in a band that spreads across Africa between the equator and the Sahara, through the Arabian Peninsula, the Middle East, south-west Asia and India.

The virus is secreted in tears, nasal discharge, secretions from coughing, and in the faeces of infected animals.