A Slaughter slab Survey of Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia Lesions in Slaughtered Cattle in Chavuma Districts, Northwestern Province, Zambia

Abstract

Objective: To establish and estimate prevalence of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP), using slaughter slabante-mortem examination and postmortem lesions as a diagnostic tool in slaughtered cattle in Chavuma, Northwestern province, Zambia.

Methods: Between August and December 2020, 364 cattle were slaughtered at six slaughter slabs in Chavuma district (Good Hope, Likola Levy, Supplies of Chavuma Boarding school, Formula Butchery, Grace of God, Never Lose Hope).The affected cattle had noisy breathing, nasal discharge and coughing. In addition, to yellow fluid in the chest cavity and lungs coated in yellowish substance lung lesions. This was according to the ante-mortem and postmortem reports.

Results: Hundred and five (28.8%) of the slaughtered cattle had gross lung lesions suggestive of CBPP. When compared to other slaughter slabs, the point prevalence of positive CBPP postmortem lesions was higher at Grace of God slaughter slab (P<0.05). Labored breathing (78%), dry cough (70%), and mucopurulent nasal discharge were the most common pneumonic signs (60%). The gross characteristic of CBPP postmortem lesions included the following; L/lung (45%), R/lung (28%), Both/lung (30%), P/adhesion (90%), L/pinkish (65%), Sequestra (20%) and Yellow fluid (60%). However, the frequently encountered was P/adhesion (90%), and pinkish lung (65%).

Conclusions: CBPP remains an issue in Chavuma district, and possibly Northwestern province as a whole, according to the findings of this study. Furthermore, since movement control is difficult in Chavuma district and herds are not restricted, testing and slaughter, even when combined with vaccination, may not be sufficient to control the disease. In the fight against disease, communities play a crucial role. To be effective, any government CBPP control systems must be thoroughly communicated to livestock farmers so that they are fully engaged, recognize the long-term benefits, and are willing to comply. Apart from that, a continued monitoring program is recommended, which involves regular checks of all cattle carcasses at the slaughter slab and subsequent epidemiological analysis of suspicious cases. As a result, concerted measures to eliminate the disease should be introduced as soon as possible, including improved cattle movement monitoring, strengthened epidemio-surveillance networks, and mass vaccination.