Low Sero-Prevalence of Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) in Bulls Originated from Borena Pastoral Area of Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) is a highly infectious cattle disease, which is widespread in pastoral areas of Africa and it is a major problem for Ethiopian livestock. Cross-sectional study was conducted in 2011 on bulls’ originated from Borena pastoral area to determine seroprevalence of CBPP. Of the total 40 batches tested for the presence of antibodies using c-ELISA, 25(62.5%) of them contained at least one seropositive bull. From the total of 38,187 bulls tested, 150 (0.4%) bulls were found positive. There was statistically significant (χ2=63.45, df= 9, p=0.000) difference in the occurrence of CBPP among the 10 sites of feedlots operation at individual animal level. In both at herd and individual level, the highest CBPP prevalence was recorded in herd size >1000, and the difference was found statistically significant (P<0.05). There was statistically significant (χ2=23.73, df=9, p= 0.005) difference of CBPP prevalence between months of the year. The present low prevalence CBPP in the cattle feedlots indicate the disease is decreasing progressively in Borena pastoral area. This offered a great opportunity to livestock producers through live animal and meat export. Prompt diagnosis, isolation and stamping out of the outbreaks, intensive surveillance, followed by strict cattle movement control should be implemented by Ethiopian Veterinary Services to eradicate the disease.