Prevalence of Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia in Western Bahr El Ghazal State, South Sudan

Abstract

Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) is considered one of the most serious diseases that threaten the livestock sector in Western Bahr El Ghazal State, Republic of South Sudan. This study was designed to assess the prevalence, distribution, related risk factors, and economic importance of CBPP by serological test. Participatory Disease Search (PDS) methods were used to detect clinical cases so as to provide useful information that would support the surveillance and control strategies of the disease in Western Bahr El Ghazal State (Wau and Jur River counties). A total of 291 serum samples were collected from two groups of cattle (143 from group A, and 148 from group B); group A were cattle that have been infected with CBPP for the last 2-3 years, and group B were those cattle that were infected with CBPP less than 1 year or had clinical signs of CBPP. These sera were collected from different locations in Western Bahr El Ghazal State (43 herds, 5 payams and two counties). The samples were tested using Competitive Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (c-ELISA). The results showed that the rates of positive reactors were 13.2% for group A and 12.8% for group B. The competitive ELISA was more sensitive in the diagnosis of CBPP and is a useful tool to be applied in the field. The Participatory Disease Search (PDS) result among cattle keepers indicated that these communities have valuable knowledge about CBPP (they know clinical signs, post mortem findings and seasonality of the disease) which would support credible surveillance and control strategies for the disease The study suggested that CBPP has a seasonal pattern of prevalence in Western Bahr El Ghazal State, being much more prevalent during the rainy season. Therefore, movement control and vaccination programme are very important to be applied in the beginning of the rainy season.