Response to Increased Livestock Disease Outbreaks in South Sudan - TCP/SSD/3702

Response to Increased Livestock Disease Outbreaks in South Sudan - TCP/SSD/3702

Year of publication 2021

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 12

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Project

Edition 1

Full item page

Synopsis (short abstract) In South Sudan, livestock provide food, income and security They also serve as a currency for payment of dowry, dispute settlement and, in the absence of an established banking sector, constitute a reliable means of securing assets In many cases, livestock represent the main source of livelihood, with any threat to livestock assets therefore undermining household food and nutrition security and socio economic welfare Around 80 percent of South Sudan’s population relies upon the country’s estimated 43 million heads of livestock, which include cattle, goats and sheep Meanwhile, according to estimates in August 2019 from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification ( an estimated 6 35 million people 54 percent of the population) are classified as living in acute food insecurity (IPC Level 3 and above), of whom around 1 7 million were in a “Humanitarian emergency” situation (Level 4 and 10 000 in a state of “Famine/Humanitarian catastrophe”catastrophe”(Level 5 It was feared that rising livestock losses would lead to a further deterioration of the food security situation In late 2017 and early 2018 South Sudan experienced an outbreak of Rift Valley Fever ( resulting in the loss of over 2 000 cattle and at least five human fatalities, compounding the heavy rains and flooding experienced in areas of Lakes State This situation resulted in increased alerts across the country concerning livestock disease such as East Coast Fever, anthrax, blackleg and haemorrhagic septicaemia (HS).

Language English

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In South Sudan, livestock is a major contributor to food and nutrition security, with more than 65 per cent of the population relying on it for their livelihoods. The livestock sector has been severely affected by flooding since 2019. According to a recent Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) assessment, the 2021 floods affected an estimated 10.1 million animals in different states, resulting in 795 000 animal deaths, especially small ruminants (sheep and goats) which are typically owned by poorer and more vulnerable households. The worst affected states were Unity, Jonglei and Upper Nile where 13.7 percent, 10.7 percent, and 7.6 percent of affected animals died respectively. In addition, the floods created conditions conducive to the outbreak of animal diseases, including zoonotic diseases (which can affect both animals and humans) such as Rift Valley Fever. For example, in the Greater Bahr El Ghazal region, increased cases of lumpy skin disease (LSD), haemorrhagic septicaemia (HS) and contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) in cattle, pest of small ruminants (PPR) and footrot in small ruminants were reported. As a result, and due to animal deaths and reduced livestock production and productivity, the floods affected livelihoods, food security and nutrition.
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Livestock production constitutes a vital component of the agricultural economy of South Sudan, accounting for up to 15 percent of household food supply in the country. Specifically, it contributes directly to nutrition securitythrough the supply of milk, meat and eggs – high-qualitysources of protein and micronutrients. Livestock is also anindirect source of income (through aspects such asmanure, fertilizer and fuel) and is closely linked to thesocial and cultural lives of a millions of resource-poorfarmers, for whom animal ownership ensures varyingdegrees of sustainable farming and economic stability. In recent decades, animals (both livestock and wildlife)have moved freely between the countries bordering South Sudan in search of pasture, water and trade opportunities. Although Foot-and-Mouth disease (FMD) isendemic in South Sudan, this movement heightens of therisk of introduction and spread of the disease around thecountry. One notable outbreak of the disease occurred in2014/2015 in the country’s Lakes, Eastern and Central Equatoria states. Since its independence in 2011, South Sudan has lacked aproperly functioning veterinary service. Disease controlwithin the country has, until now, been overseen by Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) and United Nations agencies, without whose support the Government’s veterinary services are ineffective.
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FAO’s mission is to contribute to economic growth, food security, food safety and animal health through early warning and disease intelligence Animal health networks offer a framework for building strong technical capacity, competency, leadership and a critical mass of regionally networked specialists in veterinary medicine, epidemiology, surveillance and diagnosis, all of which are essential to coordinate actions to manage the risks of transboundary animal diseases and zoonoses Wildlife and other vectors travel without regard for national boundaries and animal diseases can occur in ecosystems that span several countries A regional approach is thus the most effective way to ensure their prevention, control and eradication Best practices and lessons learned from a disease event in one country are particularly valuable to other countries that need to prevent or respond to similar outbreaks.

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