Technical Experts Unite to Address PPR and Zoonotic Diseases at the Wildlife–Livestock Interface

Nairobi, 22–24 October 2025 – This week, the African Union – InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) proudly hosted the Technical Meeting on Managing Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), High-Impact and Zoonotic Diseases at the Wildlife–Livestock Interface.

On behalf of Dr. Huyam Salih, Director of AU-IBAR, the opening session set a clear tone for action: eradicating PPR and addressing zoonoses must start where wildlife, livestock, ecosystems, and communities intersect.

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Over three days of intensive exchanges, experts from FAO, WOAH, ILRI, CIRAD, WCS, Cornell University, TAWIRI, FIWI, ADAFSA, GALVmed, SDWZA, WRTI, FLI, Ministries, regional organizations and conservation authorities joined forces to:
•     Strengthen understanding of the epidemiological role of wildlife in PPR and zoonotic diseases;
•     Identify surveillance gaps and research priorities across ecological zones;
•     Contribute to the FAO draft guidelines on wildlife health surveillance;
•     Design an “episystem package” for managing disease risks in high-priority landscapes across Africa.

The participants concluded with strong recommendations to:

•    Work to improve/calibrate diagnostic tools for tests in wildlife and zoonotic disease through partnerships with international reference laboratories.

•    Appreciate FAO's efforts to develop the practical manual on surveillance and investigation in wildlife with an emphasis on zoonotic pathogens. Recommend FAO to continue engaging and consulting experts in the further development of this manual with a clear roadmap to finalize and operationalize.

•    Encourage member states and facilitate integration of wildlife disease management action(s) into national plans and operations, to safeguard both wildlife, livestock and public health through evidence-based and practical interventions.

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These recommendations will inform the continental PPR 2030 roadmap and the development of a Wildlife-Livestock Interface Strategy under AU-IBAR’s leadership. The outcomes will also guide the global wildlife health guidelines currently being developed by FAO and WOAH.

Participants appreciated the importance of such technical meetings involving global experts and encouraged FAO to establish a wildlife expert working consultation group to promote an ecosystem approach for sustainable management of wildlife, ecosystem conservation and effective prevention of health threats emerging at the wildlife-livestock interface.

Special thanks to the European Union for supporting AU-IBAR’s efforts to build healthier, more resilient ecosystems across Africa.