Syndromic surveillance of peste des petits ruminants and other animal diseases in Koinadugu district, Sierra Leone, 2011–2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to conduct syndromic surveillance for important veterinary diseases in Koinadugu district, Northern Province, Sierra Leone. Methods: This study examined all veterinary syndromic surveillance reports submitted to the district veterinary office from January 2011 through December 2012. Results: In total, 5679 case reports were submitted, including 2394 fatalities. The most common syndrome reported was consistent with peste de petits ruminants (PPR) in goats (n = 1649). PPR cases were reported from eight of 11 chiefdoms in the district, with a 42 per 1000 reported incidence rate and a 48 % case fatality rate. Other syndromes reported were consistent with trypanosomiasis in cattle (n = 1402), Newcastle disease in poultry (n = 911), black quarter in cattle (n = 691), and haemorrhagic septicaemia in cattle (n = 542). Conclusions: Expanded use of the PPR virus vaccine may be required to help control the spread of the infection. Improved community-based prevention efforts may be effective for better control of trypanosomiasis and all these conditions.