FAO warns deadly livestock virus threatens 21 million animals in Afghanistan

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned that a fast-spreading and deadly livestock disease is threatening more than 21 million sheep and goats across Afghanistan, endangering rural livelihoods and food security.

In a statement this week, FAO said the outbreak of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) — commonly known as “small ruminant plague” — poses a severe risk to Afghanistan’s fragile agricultural sector, which is already struggling with drought, shrinking pastures, and limited veterinary support. The highly contagious viral disease can wipe out entire herds, devastating families who rely on livestock for both income and nutrition.

“PPR is one of the most destructive diseases affecting livestock in Afghanistan,” FAO said. “Without urgent and widespread vaccination, the livelihoods of millions of herders are at serious risk.”

To contain the spread, FAO — with financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of the United Kingdom — has launched a nationwide vaccination campaign across all 34 provinces. The campaign aims to reach millions of animals over the coming months and strengthen veterinary capacity to detect and respond to future outbreaks.

Livestock remains one of Afghanistan’s few stable economic sectors, providing income for nearly 70 percent of rural households. However, years of conflict, climate change, and underfunded animal health services have left herding communities increasingly vulnerable.

FAO said the current vaccination drive is part of its broader effort to rebuild veterinary networks, train local animal health workers, and protect the livestock sector from further collapse.

The U.N. agency also appealed to international donors for continued support, warning that without sustained intervention, Afghanistan could face “irreversible losses” in livestock production, worsening the country’s already critical food insecurity.

“Livestock are not just assets — they are the foundation of rural survival,” FAO noted. “Protecting them means protecting Afghan families, livelihoods, and food systems.”