This study aimed at investigating the genetic lineages of peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) currently circulating in Burkina Faso. As part of PPR surveillance in 2021 and 2022, suspected outbreaks in different regions were investigated. A risk map was produced to determine high-risk areas for PPR transmission. Based on alerts, samples were obtained from three regions and all sampled localities were confirmed to fall within PPR high risk areas. We collected swab samples from the eyes, mouth, and nose of sick goats. Some tissue samples were also collected from dead animals suspected to be infected by PPRV. In total, samples from 28 goats were analysed. Virus confirmation was performed with RT-PCR amplification targeting the nucleocapsid (N) gene. Partial N gene sequencing (350 bp) was carried out using the RT-PCR products of positives samples to characterise the circulating lineages. Eleven sequences, including ten new sequences, have been obtained. Our study identified the presence of the PPRV lineage IV in the three studied regions in Burkina Faso with a genetic heterogeneity recorded for the sequences analysed. Previously published data and results of this study suggest that PPRV lineage IV seems to be replacing lineage II in Burkina Faso.

Every year the government organizes country-wide vaccination campaigns targeting peste des petits ruminants (PPR) for small ruminants (sheep and goats). Despite the heavy investment in vaccination, no study has either rigorously estimated or described the cost of vaccine delivery. This study aimed to fill this gap by assessing and describing the cost of delivery of vaccines against PPR using the 2020 vaccination campaign data. The microcosting approach based on the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines to construct comprehensive multiyear plans (cMYP) for human immunization programs was used. The cost data is presented for the public and private vaccine delivery channels separately and analyzed using three approaches considering activity lines, inputs, and nature of cost (fixed versus variable). Results show that the unit cost of vaccinating a sheep or goat is estimated at XOF 169 (USD 0.3) and XOF 103 (USD 0.18) through the public and private channels, respectively. Using the activity line framework, we found that the field activities including charges for vaccinator, cost of vaccination materials, and field transportation account for more than 50% of the vaccination cost. In terms of inputs, the personnel cost is the most significant contributor with 65%. Fixed costs are higher in the public sector with up to 46% compared to the private sector which is estimated to take 26% of the cost. This study informs veterinary services’ investment decision options for a better allocation of resources in implementing PPR and other small ruminant disease control efforts in Burkina Faso and the Sahel.

Background and Aim: Rabies is a neglected zoonotic disease transmissible to humans and domestic and wild animals through biting, scratching, or licking. This study aimed to analyze the adoption of the One Health approach by the stakeholders involved in rabies control in Burkina Faso. Materials and Methods: The stakeholders involved in rabies control were from the Ministry of Livestock, Ministry of Health, Ministry of the Territory Administration, Ministry of Environment and Wildlife, and Ministry of Higher Education and Research. A structured questionnaire was used in face-to-face interviews to collect data from the stakeholders. The collected data included stakeholders' knowledge of rabies and the One Health approach and their levels of involvement in the multisectoral collaboration. Results: Most participants could not describe rabies correctly (80%), and only 52.9% had heard of the One Health approach. In addition, there was no significant association between knowledge of rabies and participants' characteristics, and the knowledge of the One Health approach was significantly influenced by a participant's affiliation (place of work). Conclusion: The results call for an increase in One Health education for its effective adoption by all the rabies control stakeholders. Additional efforts should focus on continual training of the One Health workforce, from policy-makers to frontline personnel.

Background: This study was carried out in Linguere department, Louga region of Senegal. Its objective was to explore the socio-economic factors that influence small ruminant producers’ decisions on vaccination against peste des petits ruminants.Methods: We carried out a willingness to vaccinate and willingness to pay for vaccination using a choice experiment approach with 200 small ruminant producers.Results: Results showed that the key factors that influence willingness to vaccinate, include perceived benefits of vaccination (98, 95%CI: 96–100%), the type of vaccinator (91, 95%CI: 87–95%), the access to information (86, 95%CI: 81–91%), the vaccine availability (80, 95%CI: 74–86%), and the possession of a vaccination certificate by the producer (76, 95%CI: 70–82%). Preferences of producers leaned toward home vaccination (preference weight = 0.74, p = 1%), individual herd vaccination (preference weight = 0.45, p = 1%), elective participation to vaccination (preference weight = 0.33, p = 0.01), and low-cost services (preference weight = −0.004, p = 0.1). Producers expressed a willingness to pay for vaccination per animal of XOF 184 (USD 0.3), XOF 113 (USD 0.18), and XOF 82 (USD 0.13) for home, individual herd, and elective vaccination, respectively.Conclusion: The findings underscore the importance of targeted awareness campaigns and bringing vaccination services closer to the producers.

Background: Newcastle disease (ND) is one of the most common diseases in poultry production, causing high mortality rates and significant economic losses. Controlling this enzootic disease in rural poultry flocks has been challenging in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Aim: This study aimed to assess the antibody response of rural chickens vaccinated with the inactivated LaSota ND vaccine, and to highlight the challenges related to vaccination and biosecurity in Burkina Faso. Methods: A short quantitative survey was conducted of rural family poultry producers keeping indigenous chickens, and a hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test was performed on 586 chicken serum samples (351 vaccinated chickens and 235 non-vaccinated chickens) collected in the Central North Region, Burkina Faso, following the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) guidelines. Results: The results revealed that 81.2% of vaccinated chickens had protective antibody titers. In the non-vaccinated chickens, 45.5% had protective titers of ND antibodies. The Student’s t-test revealed a significant difference in ND virus antibody levels between vaccinated and non-vaccinated chickens. While the mean titer was suggestive of flock protection in non-vaccinated chickens (3.8 log2), the median HI titer of 2 log2 indicated they were not protected. The mean HI titer in vaccinated chickens was 7.4 log2, while the median was 8 log2. Biosecurity challenges were significant in the study area. A reluctance to vaccinate despite the availability of the vaccine and vaccinators also was recorded. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of both qualitative and quantitative monitoring of post-ND vaccination campaigns to evaluate vaccination efficacy and acceptance, as well as to identify and address constraints and challenges to improving the health of rural family poultry efficiently.

In addition to having cultural importance, village chicken production remains an important source of cash income for most rural households in Burkina Faso. However, strict biosecurity and good management of chicken flocks are required to reduce the risk of exposure of communities to chicken waste at household level. We characterized village production systems in rural Burkina Faso in relation to importance to food security, biosecurity, husbandry and chicken health management. We surveyed 483 chicken-producing households and carried out 20 focus group discussions separately with men and women chicken producers in Boussouma commune, a typical rural setting. Crop farming was reported as the main income-generating activity carried out by chicken producers (79.5%). Seveny six per cent of households sold chicken to local markets. Chicken production and sales were aligned to social/cultural events (religious festivals, weddings, etc…) and school-fee payment period. While men spent more revenues from chicken production on agriculture and household equipment’s, women spent more on food, education and medical expenses. The chicken management system is mainly extensive scavenging, with most farmers (81.4%) keeping 5 to 50 birds with little or no supplementary feeding and rudimentary housing. Most producers indicated that Newcastle disease was the main cause of chicken mortality. While men consider high disease burden, lack of finance, and poor chicken housing as the major constraints, women prioritized the lack of adequate chicken housing, lack of feeds and limited access to veterinary services. With locally adapted interventions that build one a One Health approach, village chicken keeping has the potential to secure and greatly improve smallholder livelihoods and household food security, while preserving public health in Burkina Faso.