North Africa is intensifying its fight against Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) as it takes decisive steps to eradicate this devastating disease and mitigate the impact of other high-impact and zoonotic diseases affecting small ruminants. The region's commitment is bolstered by the revision of the regional PPR Strategy for North Africa, to align with the Second Phase of the PPR Global Eradication Programme (GEPII/III), known as the PPR Blueprint. 

 

The PPR Blueprint was crafted through extensive consultations with stakeholders and regions, including a virtual meeting specifically for North African countries in September 2021, and it aims to take a more systems-focused approach to achieve the ambitious goal of eradicating PPR by 2030 while also addressing the impact of other major infectious diseases affecting small ruminants. 

 

Emphasizing a coordinated and harmonized approach, the PPR Blueprint advocates for strategic interventions and methodologies that precisely target small ruminant populations which maintain virus circulation. Risk-based vaccination strategies, complemented by rigorous post-vaccination evaluation, ensure optimal effectiveness. The revised PPR Monitoring and Assessment Tool (PMAT) will enable monitoring of progress, while enhanced partnerships and stakeholder involvement amplify the strategy's impact and long-term legacy 

 

To align with the PPR Blueprint, North African countries are undertaking a comprehensive review and update of their PPR National Strategic Plans alongside the Regional PPR Strategy This collaborative effort involving FAO, World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the Union du Maghreb Arabe (UMA), AU-IBAR experts, and stakeholders from across the region, has resulted in an enhanced and more effective PPR Strategy for North Africa, originally drafted in 2016. 

 

To disseminate knowledge, foster engagement, and propel action, a workshop was held on 21 June 2023 in Ioannina, Greece, before the 26th Mediterranean Animal Health Network (REMESA) meeting on 22 and 23 June 2023. The workshop was a key forum for dialogue and debate on the updated PPR Strategy for North Africa, while the REMESA meeting served to raise awareness about PPR and its threat to the Mediterranean region.  Moreover, it underscored the importance of regional ownership of the strategy and the crucial role of the PPR Regional Advisory Groups (RAG) in driving the eradication process forward.