The Mauritanian government has initiated its 2026-2027 animal vaccination campaign, targeting 10 million sheep and goats and 3.5 million cattle. This represents a significant increase from the previous year's targets of 8 million sheep and goats and 3 million cattle. The campaign, launched in the village of Chinguitt in the Brakna region, aims to protect the country's livestock from diseases such as small ruminant plague and contagious bovine pleuropneumonia.
The vaccination campaign will be carried out by 66 veterinary teams deployed across various regions of the country. These teams will be accompanied by awareness and monitoring efforts to ensure the success of the campaign. The Ministry of Animal Development has called on livestock owners to cooperate with the veterinary teams and follow their instructions. The ministry also emphasized the importance of identifying vaccinated animals to facilitate tracking of the vaccination process.
The campaign is part of the government's efforts to protect the country's livestock sector, which accounts for around 10% of the country's GDP and 68% of the rural economy. The sector provides employment for over 60% of the rural workforce. According to a 2024 census, Mauritania has approximately 30 million heads of livestock.
The vaccination campaign will focus on protecting animals against priority diseases, including small ruminant plague, contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, and other diseases. The Ministry of Animal Development has expressed gratitude to technical and financial partners, including the World Bank, for their support.
The launch of the campaign was attended by Minister of Animal Development Ahmed Ould Chein and other officials. The minister emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in protecting the country's livestock. Local authorities and representatives of livestock owners' associations welcomed the campaign.
The 2025-2026 campaign was launched in November 2025 and targeted 8 million sheep and goats and 3 million cattle. The current campaign's expanded targets reflect the government's commitment to protecting the country's livestock sector. The campaign will continue throughout the 2026-2027 season in various regions of the country.
The Mauritanian government's efforts to protect the livestock sector are crucial for the country's economy and food security. The sector is vulnerable to various diseases, and vaccination campaigns are essential to prevent outbreaks and ensure the health of the animals. The government's collaboration with international partners and local stakeholders is critical to the success of the campaign.
Key points
- 13.5 million heads of livestock targeted in the 2026-2027 campaign, up from 11 million in the previous year.
- 66 veterinary teams deployed across the country to carry out the vaccination campaign.
- The livestock sector accounts for around 10% of Mauritania's GDP and 68% of the rural economy.
