Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — As part of the FAO project "Understanding the PPR epidemiological situation," a set of laboratory consumables and diagnostic reagents was handed over to the Committee for Veterinary and Livestock Development.

Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious viral disease that affects sheep and goats, with serious consequences for the livestock sector and the well-being of farmers. Therefore, early diagnosis and effective epidemiological surveillance play a critical role in controlling the disease.

The delivered items include modern ELISA and PCR test kits for detecting antibodies to the PPR virus, cryotubes, vacuum blood collection tubes and needles, disposable pipette tips, microcentrifuge tubes, and other supporting materials necessary for conducting laboratory tests in line with international standards.

Additionally, informational posters were handed over to raise awareness among veterinary specialists and farmers about symptoms, preventive measures, and the importance of early detection of PPR. These materials will be used during training events and distributed at veterinary stations across the country.

All materials will be distributed to institutions under the Committee for further use in disease monitoring, diagnosis, and laboratory testing of suspected cases. This will help improve preparedness for potential outbreaks and enhance the response capacity to risks in the livestock sector.

FAO continues to provide technical support to Uzbekistan in the field of veterinary surveillance and laboratory capacity strengthening, promoting the adoption of modern diagnostic and disease prevention practices for animals.