Farmers Urged to Vaccinate Livestock as PPR Outbreak Hits Ondo

The Ondo State Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has raised the alarm over the outbreak of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), a highly contagious viral disease primarily affecting sheep and goats, urging livestock owners to vaccinate their animals immediately to prevent further spread.

Speaking in an interview with Daily Trust, the Director of Veterinary Services in the ministry, Dr. Adebayo Ehinmowo, disclosed that cases of the disease had already been reported in parts of the state.

He warned farmers against waiting for the government’s planned vaccination campaign before taking preventive measures.

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According to Ehinmowo, PPR, commonly known as “goat plague,” is a seasonal viral disease that often emerges at the onset of the rainy season and can cause significant losses among sheep and goat populations.

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“The outbreak is already in town. Farmers should not wait for government vaccination. The disease is viral and cannot be treated; it can only be prevented through vaccination,” he said.

Explaining the symptoms of the disease, Ehinmowo said infected animals usually exhibit mucus discharge from the nose and eyes, diarrhoea, weakness and reduced productivity, with younger animals being particularly susceptible.

The veterinary expert clarified that PPR affects only small ruminants, specifically sheep and goats, and poses no threat to cattle.

To contain the outbreak, he disclosed that the Federal Government has already supplied vaccines to Ondo State and that preparations are underway for a statewide vaccination campaign.

However, he noted that the exercise is awaiting logistical support from the state government before deployment to communities.

“The vaccines are already available and safely stored in our cold storage facility. They remain effective and have not expired. We are only waiting for the necessary logistics to commence mass vaccination,” he said.

Ehinmowo further revealed that private veterinary practitioners and veterinary outlets currently have vaccines available for purchase, encouraging farmers who can afford them to vaccinate their animals without delay.

The ministry is targeting more than 100,000 sheep and goats across Ondo State during the planned vaccination exercise, although Ehinmowo said the actual livestock population could be much higher due to the absence of recent census data.

He urged livestock owners to cooperate with veterinary officials when the campaign begins, emphasising that widespread vaccination coverage is essential to halting the spread of the disease.

“If even one infected animal is left unprotected, it can expose others to infection. Farmers must willingly bring out their animals for vaccination when the exercise starts,” he said.

The ministry also plans to intensify sensitisation campaigns across rural communities, where most sheep and goats are raised, to educate farmers on the dangers of PPR and the importance of vaccination.

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