Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is a major transboundary disease in Ethiopia, where the national goal is eradication by 2027. However, evidence on vaccination performance and operational challenges remains limited. This study assessed vaccination trends over six years (September 2018–August 2024) and conducted surveys with animal health professionals (AHPs) (January–May 2024) to identify key enabling factors and constraints influencing eradication efforts in the North Shewa Zone. The findings revealed that a risk-based vaccination strategy (RBVS) has been implemented since 2018, focusing on high-risk areas and employing rapid antigen detection tests to confirm outbreaks. Once an outbreak is confirmed, AHPs collaborate with regional coordinators to isolate at-risk populations and administer a live attenuated PPR vaccine. Over the study period, 62 vaccination campaigns were conducted, averaging 10.3 campaigns per year. The highest number occurred in 2019 (16 campaigns, 25.81%), while the lowest was in 2022 (one campaign). Kewet district recorded the highest number of campaigns (six), whereas six districts received no vaccinations. A total of 2,917,330 small ruminants were vaccinated, with Minjar-Shenkora district reporting the highest number (384,989 animals). The year 2023 saw the peak in vaccination coverage, with 1,284,339 animals vaccinated. The study identified factors affecting eradication efforts, with key enablers including a national policy (82.6%), sufficient vaccine production (71.74%), and adequate vaccination tools (80.43%). Major challenges included budget constraints (84.78%) and security concerns (65.22%), along with operational issues such as lack of animal identification, absence of post-vaccination sero-monitoring (PVS), high herd mobility, and rapid turnover of young stock. In conclusion, these challenges may compromise vaccination effectiveness and hinder eradication efforts. Nevertheless, strong regional commitment and enabling factors provide a promising foundation for progress. To enhance PPR control and achieve eradication, the study recommends strengthening surveillance, improving post-vaccination sero-monitoring, optimizing vaccine distribution, and addressing key operational barriers.

Introduction: Caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE) is a chronic debilitating and economically important viral disease of goats. It is mainly manifested as encephalitis in kids and polyarthritis in adult goats. The present study was conducted to determine the rate of morbidity and mortality due to clinical diseases attributed to infection by Caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV) and to determine the serological status of CAEV in goat in North Shewa, Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional serological study and a longitudinal clinical case study were conducted. A total of 257 serum samples have been collected from apparently health and clinical cases attributed to CAE infection and tested with the usage of indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to screen antibodies against CAE. Records have been statistically analyzed by using the chi-square test. Results: During five consecutive years of longitudinal clinical study, a total of 195 clinical diseases of chronic pneumonia, nerve problems, clinical mastitis, and arthritis occurred with prevalence of 99 (50.8%), 57 (29.2%), 27 (13.9%), and 12 (6.2%), respectively. Chronic pneumonia was the highest cause of goat morbidity (50.8%) and mortality (100.0%). Of the total samples tested from clinical cases, 7 (58.3%) were sero-positive for the presence of antibodies against CAEV. The overall seroprevalence of CAE was 4.7%. There has been a significant difference (p < 0.05) in sero-positivity among management system, breeds, and age groups of goats. However, there was no significant variation in sero-positivity between the sexes (p > 0.05) of goats. Conclusion: This finding indicates that CAEV infection exists in the goat flocks in examined localities in Ethiopia. This disease poses serious animal health problems that constrain production with the presence of apparent clinical signs. Further investigations need to be done to explore the seroconversion of CAEV in small ruminants and the associated factors to plan an appropriate eradication program and prevent transmission.

Ethiopia aims to eradicate peste des petits ruminants (PPR) by 2027 through a risk-based vaccination strategy (RBVS); however, outbreaks continue to occur. This cross-sectional study (January–May 2024) evaluated RBVS performance by assessing flock- and maternal-level antibody immunity, providing field-based evidence to inform PPR control and eradication efforts. A total of 594 serum samples were collected using simple random sampling to assess flock ( n = 508) and maternal ( n = 86) antibody immunity. All samples were tested for PPRV antibodies using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA). Overall individual animal-level antibody immunity was 65.35% (332/508), while at the flock level only 22.27% of flocks (6/22) had ≥ 80% of animals with detectable antibodies. Multivariable logistic regression showed significant differences in immune status by age group ( p < 0.05). Adult (284/428, 66.36%) and older (26/33, 78.79%) small ruminants were approximately three and four times more likely to be seropositive than young animals (52.21%), respectively. Significant district-level variation was also observed: animals in Basona-werena (116/146, 79.45%) were three times more likely to be seropositive than those in Menz-mama (88/155, 56.77%). Overall maternal antibody immunity in kids and lambs was 52.3%, with 61.29% (95% CI: 42.19–78.15) in kids and 47.27% (95% CI: 33.65–61.20) in lambs. This study demonstrates insufficient maternal and flock-level antibody immunity against PPRV in vaccinated small ruminants, with levels below the recommended 80% threshold. To improve coverage, vaccination efforts should prioritize young animals, districts with low antibody levels, and areas with poor past performance. Strengthening surveillance, refining vaccination strategies, enhancing sero-monitoring, and ensuring efficient vaccine distribution are essential for effective PPR control and eventual eradication.

Peste des petits ruminants (PPRs) is an economically significant disease affecting small ruminants. Owing to its impact on livestock and rural livelihoods, Ethiopia joined the global PPR eradication program and implemented risk‐based vaccination strategies in 2018. However, gaps remain in understanding the geographic distribution, seasonal trends, and impact of this disease. To address these gaps, a repeated cross‐sectional study was conducted between September 2018 and August 2024 in the North Shewa Zone to confirm PPR outbreaks via rapid antigen detection methods, specifically the pen‐side test and dipstick technique. In addition, a retrospective analysis was performed to assess the spatial and temporal distributions of outbreaks, along with associated morbidity, mortality, and case fatality rates. The results revealed 48 confirmed PPR outbreaks over 6 years, occurring in 15 out of 24 districts, with an average of 8 outbreaks annually and a 0.33 proportion of affected districts, indicating low and localized spread. A total of 192 clinical samples were collected from symptomatic sheep and goats, all of which tested positive for PPRV. In total, 6415 PPR cases were documented, with a morbidity rate of 0.72%, a mortality rate of 0.11% (951 deaths), and a case fatality rate of 14.82%. Kewet had the highest number of outbreaks (7), whereas Mojana‐Wedera recorded the highest number of cases (2718). Seasonally, 60% of the outbreaks occurred during the long rainy season, leading to 4472 cases and a fatality rate of 16.79%. Yearly trends showed consistent patterns, with 2023 having the highest number of outbreaks (15) and 2021 having the fewest (5). The year 2024 had the highest number of cases (2706). Despite continued viral circulation, the low morbidity and mortality rates, relative to the high transmissibility and fatality rates of the PPR in naïve populations (infection rates of up to 100% and mortality rates of 10%–90%), reflect significant control progress. While PPR remains endemic in the North Shewa Zone, the reduced incidence and clinical impact indicate measurable advancements toward eradication. Nonetheless, recurrent outbreaks across seasons and districts necessitate sustained, adaptive interventions. The study recommends strengthening surveillance, enhancing postvaccination sero‐monitoring, and optimizing vaccine allocation to accelerate eradication.