The Government of Tanzania has received two million vaccine doses from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to strengthen ongoing efforts to eliminate Peste des Petits Ruminants, commonly known as Sotoka ya Mbuzi na Kondoo, a contagious disease affecting goats and sheep.
The vaccines are part of continued international support aimed at helping Tanzania and other countries in the region eradicate the disease, which has been affecting livestock productivity and farmers’ incomes.
The consignment was received in Arusha on April 28, 2026, during the opening of a regional workshop on the control and eradication of transboundary animal diseases.
The meeting brought together government officials, experts, and development partners to discuss coordinated strategies to eliminate the disease by 2030.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Permanent Secretary Agness Kisaka Meena said the new vaccines add to an earlier donation of 3.9 million doses from FAO, strengthening Tanzania’s national vaccination campaign.
She said the government remains fully committed to protecting livestock farmers and improving productivity in the sector through sustained disease control efforts.
“Through this campaign, we are working to ensure that livestock diseases are controlled and ultimately eliminated. The support from FAO has been instrumental in strengthening our national response,” she said.
Meena added that the government has invested significant resources in livestock health, including allocation of funds for vaccination, animal identification, and disease surveillance over the next five years. She noted that part of the funding has already been released in the 2025/2026 financial year to support ongoing activities.
She further explained that the Arusha workshop is important in strengthening regional coordination, as livestock diseases do not respect national borders. The discussions focus on joint efforts among countries to improve surveillance, identify disease sources, and enhance vaccination coverage.
The Permanent Secretary also acknowledged the support of international partners including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the World Organisation for Animal Health, and the African Union InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources, saying their collaboration has been key in strengthening Tanzania’s livestock health systems.
“These partners have played a crucial role in supporting our national efforts and ensuring that we move closer to eliminating livestock diseases,” she added.
On his part, the Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Benezeth Lutege, said Tanzania has made significant progress in controlling the disease, with about 80 percent of livestock already vaccinated in the first phase of the national campaign.
He said this achievement gives confidence that the country is on track to eliminate the disease by 2030, provided that vaccination and surveillance efforts continue consistently.
“We are seeing strong progress, and this shows that with continued commitment, Tanzania can successfully eliminate this disease and protect its livestock sector,” he said.
WOAH East Africa Regional Representative, Dr. Neo Maptise, said the organisation is working closely with African countries to strengthen disease control systems and support coordinated regional strategies to eliminate transboundary animal diseases.
He said strong collaboration between countries, veterinary institutions, and development partners is essential in addressing the root causes and preventing the spread of livestock diseases.
The Arusha meeting highlighted the importance of continued investment in livestock health, improved coordination among countries, and active participation of livestock keepers in vaccination campaigns.
The government has reiterated its commitment to building a resilient livestock sector through disease prevention, improved veterinary services, and stronger partnerships with international organisations.
With the arrival of the new vaccines, Tanzania is expected to further accelerate its national campaign towards the full eradication of Sotoka ya Mbuzi na Kondoo by 2030, protecting farmers and boosting the livestock economy.
