Livestock markets as overlooked biosecurity risks to One Health in Somalia

Abstract Livestock markets are central to Somalia’s economy and food security, but weak biosecurity in these settings creates an important One Health risk. The frequent movement of animals across long distances, together with informal trading practices, overcrowding, limited inspection, and poor sanitation, increases the likelihood of zoonotic pathogen circulation at the human-animal-environment interface. Recent One Health evidence from Somalia shows that the country remains highly vulnerable to zoonoses because of its heavy reliance on livestock, weak surveillance systems, climate stress, and institutional fragility. Priority diseases identified for the country include Rift Valley fever, brucellosis, anthrax, Middle East respiratory syndrome, and zoonotic influenza. Evidence from Somalia’s livestock export system further suggests that market inspection alone is insufficient unless it is combined with quarantine, vaccination, laboratory testing, and certification. In addition to disease risk, livestock markets contribute to environmental degradation through waste accumulation and poor manure management, while livestock production remains a major source of methane emissions in national reporting. Strengthening market biosecurity, veterinary oversight, laboratory-linked surveillance, and risk communication is therefore essential to protect public health, animal health, trade, and environmental sustainability in Somalia.