FAO launches vaccination drive against goat plague in Afghanistan

AFGHANISTAN – The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has launched a vaccination campaign to counter the outbreak of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) disease, also known as sheep and goat plague, which poses a serious threat in Afghanistan.

The campaign is being conducted with support from the United Kingdom, targeting high-risk areas where the disease could decimate herds and severely impact food systems.

FAO emphasized the urgent need to contain the outbreak, highlighting that animal health is closely tied to human health, food security, and livelihoods.

Preventing the spread of PPR is essential to protect not just livestock but also the nutrition and income sources of Afghan families who rely heavily on pastoral and agricultural resources.

First detected in Afghanistan in 1996, PPR remains a serious threat to livestock. Control measures prevent its spread, safeguarding food, trade, and livelihood.

Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), a fast-spreading viral disease that causes high mortality, weight loss, reduced fertility and sharp drops in milk production. 

Earlier this year, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with funding from the Asian Development Bank, led the largest PPR vaccination campaign ever conducted in Afghanistan.

From November 2024 to May 2025, teams vaccinated nearly four million sheep and two million goats across all 34 provinces, reaching over 868,000 families and benefiting more than six million people.

Working alongside the Afghanistan Veterinary Association, local authorities, and over 1,000 private Veterinary Field Units, FAO helped to train veterinary workers, supplied tools and equipment and coordinated outreach across the country.

Technicians managed a nationwide cold chain system to keep vaccines effective, and mobile veterinary teams travelled to remote and nomadic communities to ensure no farmer was left behind. Over 500,000 families received brochures that outline PPR prevention and basic livestock care information. 

The vaccination campaign is estimated to have averted approximately USD 296 million in potential losses. It also contributes to broader efforts to protect the country’s 42 million livestock, including 13.8 million sheep, 7.6 million goats and 4.6 million cattle, a vital asset base for food production and rural economy.

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