Article

Controlling the cross-border spread of livestock diseases 

cross-border spread of livestock diseases
While many countries are engaged in eradicating peste des petits ruminants (PPR) by 2030 and controlling the spread and impact of foot and mouth disease (FMD), their spread to previously disease-free areas in the world threatens livestock and human livelihoods, stressing the need for more surveillance and coordinated regional strategies.

Worldwide, an estimated 330 million people depend on small ruminants (sheep and goats) for economic development and food security. This is especially true in poor, marginalised communities where family farming and small ruminant husbandry are common, often managed by women. Small ruminants provide wool and manure for crops, in addition to food and milk products. They offer farmers a path to financial stability, which is especially important for women and has positive impacts on the entire family.

The spread of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) and foot and mouth disease (FMD), highly infectious viral diseases that primarily affects small ruminants, as well as cattle, buffalo and pigs (in the case of FMD), undermine these benefits by devastating herd populations, reducing milk and meat production, and pushing vulnerable communities deeper into poverty and food insecurity. 

PPR Free by 2030

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) have set the goal of eradicating PPR by 2030 guided by the Global Strategy for the Control and Eradication of PPR and operationalised by the current phase of the Global Eradication Programme II & III (also referred to as the Blueprint). This strategy focuses not only on controlling and eradicating PPR, but also on strengthening Veterinary Services and controlling other priority small ruminant diseases, such as FMD. It emphasises disease surveillance, targeted vaccination campaigns, managing animal movement and adopting safe trade practices. 

Expanding geographical transmission

Each year, PPR causes losses estimated between 1.2 and 1.7 billion USD, while losses from FMD are estimated to be between 6.5 and 21 billion USD in regions where the disease is endemic, and more than 1.5 billion USD when outbreaks occur in FMD-free zones. Africa, Asia and the Middle East host over 80% of the world’s small ruminant population and are the regions most affected by PPR and FMD. However, as data from the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS) shows, several incursions into new areas – such as Europe – have been observed in recent years.  

Though the first detection of PPR in Europe was reported in the Thrace region of Türkiye in 2000, the virus wasn’t detected again in the region until a disease event in Georgia in 2016. Since then, animal movement – both legal and illegal – has been a major factor in the spread of the disease both within and between countries in Europe as well as globally. Following the outbreak in 2016, the virus has resurfaced in Georgia in early 2024 and has been reported in Bulgaria in 2018 and 2024, Greece in 2024, Romania in 2024 and 2025 and Hungary in 2025. 

spread of livestock diseases_PPR
The map highlights countries where Peste des Petits Ruminants was reported in at least one administrative area between January 2021 and December 2023 (in orange). The dots indicate new outbreaks of the disease reported as exceptional epidemiological events between 2024 and 2025, showing the disease is moving to new areas.

FMD has had a long history, dating back to the 16th century. Every region has been affected by the disease at some point throughout history, but by the 1990s, most countries in the European Union had gained an FMD-free status. In 2001, the United Kingdom (UK) reported a recurrence of the disease which resurfaced again in 2007. Russia reported the disease in 2005 with recurrences that ended in 2022, and Bulgaria reported an outbreak in 2011. Germany and Hungary have both reported FMD outbreaks in 2025.  

spread of livestock diseases_Foot and Mouth disease
The map highlights countries where foot and mouth disease (FMD) was reported in at least one administrative area between January 2021 and December 2023 (in orange). The dots indicate new outbreaks of the disease reported as exceptional epidemiological events between 2024 and 2025, showing the reappearance of the disease in Europe, where it was eradicated decades ago.   

These recent outbreaks underscore the ongoing challenges that must be addressed to fully control and eradicate both PPR and FMD. The breakdown of safe trade practices and   unregulated animal movement have played a large role in the spread of livestock diseases. Their early detection, however, can be viewed as an example of increased surveillance activities. As with other diseases, surveillance, data collection and timely reporting are key to preventing and managing their spread. 

Managing the spread of livestock diseases

The 2025 disease event in Hungary marked the first occurrence of PPR in the country and a large geographical leap for the virus, one that is often associated with animal migration or trade. As a result, Hungary’s PPR-free status has been suspended. Similarly, the 2025 FMD outbreaks in Germany and Hungary led to the suspension of both countries’ FMD-free statuses. Once the viruses were detected in the countries, strict control and biosecurity measures were put in place to prevent further transmission of the diseases. Germany regained its FMD-free status — with the exception of contaminated zones — on 12 March 2025. 

Effective PPR control also requires continuous monitoring of disease patterns to identify high-risk animal populations and transmission zones and targeted intervention strategies. Countries in the African region are investing heavily in surveillance and vaccination programmes in order to safeguard livelihoods and food security. In February of 2025, The Pan-African Programme for the Eradication of PPR and Control of Other Priority Small Ruminant Diseases was officially launched with an event in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia, which will invest 528 million Euros into PPR prevention. This programme recognises, too, the importance of fighting other priority small ruminant diseases in addition to PPR as well as the critical role of Veterinary Services in PPR eradication. The programme ensures that disease management efforts should include strengthening Veterinary Services in both affected and bordering countries to enhance prevention and response capabilities. 

Strengthening livestock disease prevention

PPR and FMD are transboundary diseases that know no political or geographical limits, so large geographical leaps are not confined to Africa, Asia, Europe, or the Middle East. Countries that have never reported PPR or FMD are encouraged to apply for official PPR- and FMD-free status through WOAH, following strict guidelines on for example surveillance, prevention, and veterinary services. Countries are also encouraged to consult and adhere to the recommendations for safe trade of relevant commodities in the Terrestrial Animal Health Code, particularly those outlined in the disease-specific chapters (Chapter 8.8. for FMD and Chapter 14.7. for PPR). 

Pairing inter-regional and international cooperation, investment in Veterinary Services and managing animal movement are central to stopping the spread of livestock diseases and securing economic development and food security.