Fix the roof while the sun is shining: Strengthening peste des petits ruminants preparedness in the region

“The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining,” said John F. Kennedy – a message that resonated strongly throughout a recent regional effort to strengthen preparedness against peste des petits ruminants (PPR).

A highly contagious transboundary disease affecting sheep and goats, PPR poses serious risks to food security, trade, and rural livelihoods. Building on the success of the Global Rinderpest Eradication Programme, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and its partners are accelerating efforts toward global eradication of PPR.

Reflecting the commitment to strengthening capacity to respond to PPR, the FAO Virtual Learning Centers delivered a four-week online course on PPR preparedness in Russian for countries across Europe and Central Asia. This course is an improved version of the original English-language course delivered to the European region last year. Supported by expert trainers, the course brought together more than 340 veterinary professionals from 13 countries in the region.

Beyond technical training, it became a space for exchanging real-world experience. The course was also accredited by Veterinary Continuing Education in Europe. 

“We are seeing steady progress across the region,” noted Nurtazina Gulzhan, Virtual Learning Center Manager for Europe and Central Asia, highlighting that Azerbaijan was the first country in the region to achieve PPR-free status, apart from the Russian Federation. 

Sharing practical lessons, Ghalib Abdulaliyev, Chief State Veterinary Inspector of Azerbaijan, emphasized the importance of strong surveillance systems and careful dossier preparation. From Uzbekistan, Murodjon Avliekulov, FAO Project Coordinator, outlined step-by-step measures, including risk assessment and serological monitoring. Similarly, Tengiz Chaligava from the National Food Agency of Georgia presented their firsthand experience on how vaccination and post-vaccination surveillance are critical to effective control. The course concluded with Dmitry Morozov from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), who outlined the pathway to achieving and sustaining PPR-free status in line with WOAH standards.

Although the region remains largely free from PPR, the message was clear: preparedness must come before crisis as the most cost-effective approach. Strengthening veterinary capacity today is essential to protecting livelihoods and ensuring a more resilient future.

FAO plans to adapt and release an open-access version of this course, enabling a wider audience of veterinary professionals to access and learn from the training materials.