Risk factors and socio-economic effects associated with spread of Peste des petits ruminants in Turkana district, Kenya S.M. Kihu1*, C.G. Gitao1, L.C. Bebora1, J.M. Njenga1, G.G. Wairire2, E. Karimuribo3, R.Wahome1, N. Maingi1. 1 Faculty of veterinary medicine, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053-00625 Uthiru, 2 Faculty of Arts, University of Nairobi, P.O. Bo x 30197- 00100 Nairobi 3 Faculty of veterinary medicine, Sokoine University of Agriculture , PO Box 3015 Chuo kikuu, Morogoro.. Introduction . Peste des petit ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious, infectious and often fatal disease of sheep and goats. PPR in Kenya was first suspected in 1992 The disease was confirmed in Turkana District, in 2007. The diseases have had devastating effects on the Turkana community food security and livelihoods. The Government of Kenya estimated the annual losses due to PPR to be over US$ 13 million during the 2007-2008 outbreaks The disease has been associated with an increase of animal movements, The disease is relatively new in Kenya thus factors responsible for its introduction and spread in Kenya remain poorly understood The study methods incorporates participatory epidemiology (PE), serology and desk-top study. Fig. 1: Sheep and goats in Turkana Fig. 3: Suspect case of PPR in Moyale Fig. 6: Participatory Epidemiology; Semi-structured interview The methods of PE that will be used include matrices scoring, proportional piling, participatory mapping, timelines and seasonal calendars to determine the risk factors associated with PPR. Sero prevalence analysis using competitive Enzyme-Linked Immuno-sorbent Assay C-ELISA Fig. 7: Participatory Epidemiology exercise; Matrix scoring Fig 4 : Suspect case in Moyale Factor analysis of PPR risk factors will be done to evaluate predictive ability of the established PPR risk factors. Cost benefit analysis will be undertaken to establish economical and social viability of PPR control measures so far undertaken. A stochastic model will be developed to inform on PPR disease dynamics and evaluate the most appropriate control strategies Fig. 2: Suspect case of PPR in Turkana Objectives Materials Methods Fig. 8: A lady preparing her sheep and goats for vaccination in Moyale. To assess the risk factors and socio-economic effects associated with the spread of PPR in Turkana District of Kenya Specific objectives To determine the risk factors influencing the patterns of PPR spread in Turkana district, To determine the level of herd immunity within the flocks, To determine the socio economic impact of the disease. To document and evaluate current control strategies in Kenya. Results A PhD thesis outlining PPR risk factors; cost benefit analysis of various PPR control interventions; a stochastic model will be developed to inform on PPR disease dynamics and evaluate the most appropriate control strategies. So far an inception workshop with various stakeholders was held at which several issues were discussed. The field personnel that will be involved in data collection have been trained on participatory tools. The local  stakeholders including administration personnel and community elders have been sensitized. Data collection will begin in early October 2010:  The study location is Turkana District inhabited by Turkana people. It borders with Ethiopia, Sudan and Uganda. The study will focus on six administrative divisions namely, Loima, Orropoi, Kakuma, Lokichogio, Kaalich, and Kibish being the international frontier divisions that made initial reports on PPR disease outbreaks in 2006. The unit of study will be identified as the Adakar. An Adakar is occupied by a cluster of often-related Turkana households that pursue similar socio-economic activities such as search for pasture, water and security under a trusted leader. Ten Adakars will be purposively selected from each division resulting in a study sample of 60 Adakars for the PE study exercises. Conclusions This study is aimed at informing the policy development in regard to control, prevention and eventual eradication of the disease. Further insights from the study will inform rehabilitation of affected communities so that they can regain meaningful livelihood through pastoralism. For further information * The author to contact Fig. 5: Map of Turkana County (former District)