Peste des petits ruminants, Newcastle, rabies: the management of veterinary services alerts

The Ministry of Livestock has published the weekly epidemiological bulletin from the Directorate of Veterinary Services, covering the period from June 29 to July 5, 2026. This report highlights the persistence of several major animal diseases, which directly threaten food security, the economy and public health in the country. Peste des Petits Ruminants and Newcastle disease top the list of health alerts.

The Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) remains the most frequently reported disease on the national territory. For this week alone, 7 separate outbreaks were recorded, totaling 20 suspected cases and causing 6 deaths in sheep and goats, i.e. a fatality rate of 30% among affected animals.

At the same time, Newcastle disease hits poultry hard, with a high fatality rate of 60%. The authorities recorded 3 outbreaks for 5 suspected cases and 3 deaths. The cattle herd, for its part, is suffering from the continued presence of foot-and-mouth disease, identified in 3 outbreaks with a toll of 2 deaths.

What is Newcastle disease?

The disease was discovered in Indonesia in 1926, but took its name from the town of Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, where it appeared in 1927. According to According to the World Organization for Animal Health, Newcastle disease is a disease present throughout the world, very contagious and often serious, which affects birds, particularly domestic poultry. It is caused by a virus belonging to the family ofparamyxoviridae.

The disease presents in three forms: lentogenic or weakly virulent, mesogenic or moderately virulent and velogenic or very virulent, also called “exotic Newcastle disease”. Lentogenic strains are very widespread but cause few outbreaks of disease. This disease generally manifests itself by respiratory signs but the clinical picture can be dominated by depression, nervous manifestations or diarrhea.

Concerns around pasteurellosis and dog bites

Bovine pasteurellosis is causing serious concern within the Animal Health Division. With 3 outbreaks declared and a peak of 24 suspected cases, the disease has already caused 4 deaths. Laboratory analyzes formally confirmed the positivity of three samples from the Labé prefecture. On the other hand, the ten samples taken in Tougué as part of trypanosomosis surveillance all came back negative.

The report also devotes an alarming section to the situation of dog bites, with 15 cases recorded during the week. The threat of rabies transmission is exacerbated by the fact that 40% of biting animals were strays and could not be placed under health observation.

Disparities in the functioning of laboratories

Faced with the diversity of these risks, the Epidemiological Surveillance network (REMAGUI) points out a disparity in the activities of national laboratories. If the structures of Labé, Faranah and Kankan actively processed or stored samples during the week, the centers of N’Zérékoré and the Central Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (LCVD) of Conakry did not receive any samples.

To reverse this trend, the National Directorate of Veterinary Services recommends the intensification of vaccination campaigns, in particular against Peste des Petits Ruminants and Newcastle disease, as well as strict control of animal movements.

Finally, the authorities insist on the importance of consolidating the “One Health” approach, which advocates increased coordination between human health, veterinary services and environmental stakeholders to deal with this situation.

Amadou Dari Diallo