Challenges of controlling contagious bovine pleuropneumonia in sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) is a disease of economic importance that is widely distributed in sub-Saharan African and contributes significantly to cattle morbidity and mortality. Control of CBPP offers a number of challenges as a result many developing countries in Africa are still struggling with this disease. In this study, we look at the challenges encountered in CBPP control in sub-Saharan Africa from the Zambian perspective. In conducting this study, we reviewed scientific literature and reports from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and related animal institutions, and also made interviews with experts and key government officials involved in CBPP control in Zambia. Among the challenges identified for the successful control of CBPP were as follows: failure in the delivery of veterinary services, lack of a cattle identification system, natural phenomenon, livestock husbandry systems in the traditional sector, human movements, traditional practices among cattle farmers and cattle marketing systems. It was seen that the epidemiology of CBPP in Zambia is influenced by both ecological and anthological factors. Therefore, design and implementation of any control or eradication programme should be area/regional-dependent taking into account the different factors influencing disease transmission and maintenance.

Awareness and attitudes towards anthrax and meat consumption practices among affected communities in Zambia: A mixed methods approach

“…A similar situation seems to obtain in Ghana where Opare [9] indicated that high levels of knowledge about vaccination had not been actualised into practices by farmers in Tamale Municipality. Equally, a review of challenges faced by sub-Saharan countries in controlling CBPP disease in Western province identified failure of veterinary services as one major challenge expressed by most staff who were involved in the control [17]. Likewise, in a review paper by Siamudaala et al (2006), inadequate technical and administrative support, erratic funding and supply of logistics were cited as major constraints of anthrax control in Zambia [1].…”

Practices of traditional beef farmers in their production and marketing of cattle in Zambia

“…Commercial beef farmers are defined as farmers who own large herds of mostly exotic breeds of cattle and contribute the remaining 16% (Sinkala et al 2014). Commercial beef farms are mostly situated along rail lines on large pieces of titled land, while traditional beef farmers are scattered in rural areas, often practising communal grazing on land held in trust by traditional leaders (Muma et al 2011;Muuka et al 2012).…”

Challenges and Economic Implications in the Control of Foot and Mouth Disease in Sub-Saharan Africa: Lessons from the Zambian Experience

“…Challenges exist in controlling movement in the traditional sector due to communal grazing, transhumance, use of oxen for transport, hiring of bulls for mating, and other vices like shifting from village to village; mafisa and lobola [66]. The immunological diversity in prevalent serotypes and topotypes that exist in Zambia may render FMD difficult to control in present circumstances [67, 68].…”

“…This is despite movement of wildlife and livestock within and between ecosystems including transborder movement being rife. Previously, game fences were erected in 1950s to control movement of tsetse flies from wildlife to cattle around the Kafue national park until the 1980s when they collapsed because they could not be maintained [66]. The effectiveness of these fences in controlling FMD is questionable given that outbreaks were recorded during the period.…”

“…Zambia has experienced a decline in delivery of veterinary services since privatization of veterinary services in the early 1990s and the introduction of the structural adjustment programmes [66]. This may have negatively affected the surveillance required for early warning system, disease reporting, and confirmation as required for the FMD progressive control pathway [89, 90].…”