Topic:

Zoonoses and infections in animals

Abstract No.:

ISE.291

Title:

Participatory epizootiology of peste des petite ruminants (PPR) outbreaks in Iseyin local government area of Oyo State, Nigeria

Author(s):

O. Babalobi¹, O. Morakinyo²; ¹University of Ibadan, Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Ibadan, OYO STATE/NG, ² Obafemi Awolowo University Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T),, Trypanotolerant Livestock Improvement Program,, Ibadan/NG

Abstract:

Background: Peste des Petite Ruminants (PPR) is regarded as the most destructive killer disease of small ruminants in West Africa and the biggest constraint to large scale intensive production of sheep and goats in the West African. Participatory epizootiology (PE) is a practical approach to epizootiology developed to overcome the constraints in applying conventional epizootiology and formal research in developing countries by giving livestock stakeholders a greater role in shaping programmes for public health, animal health, disease surveillance and research (Loewenson, 2004).
Methods: PE was applied in 2010 to investigate informal reports of ongoing outbreaks Peste des petites ruminants PPR, in Iseyin a major sub-urban town, northwest Oyo State Nigeria, where about 80% of rural families especially women and children keep sheep and goats. A PE team which comprised of three veterinarians carried out a pilot study to have an overview of the community and identify key informants and entry points; and employed the use of Semi-structured interviews of Key Informants, Focus group discussions and individual interviews on 20 goat sellers 6 peri-urban goat farmers and 6 rural goat farmers (Fulani). In addition, individual interviews were conducted with four (4) people i.e. a private veterinarian, the head of the Goat sellers, a peri-urban and a rural Goat farmer.
Results: All respondents identified PPR as the major disease, using different symptomatic names for the disease. There was presently no existing veterinary knowledge for the management and control of the disease amongst the farmers. Usually, when an outbreak occurs, farmers just watch helplessly as their animals die in their numbers.
Conclusion: PPR remains the most devastating hindrance to the socioeconomic status of rural goat keepers in Nigeria, and the present surveillance system does not adequately capture and address its outbreaks in rural areas. Adoption of participatory approaches by researchers in project design, training of Government and private veterinarians in participatory methods so as to empower them to work well with the rural people, new policies that will allow the incorporation of CAHWs into Nigeria’s Veterinary Service delivery system and incorporating CAHWs activities into Nigeria’s disease surveillance and reporting systems are recommended to tackle the issue.