Prevalence of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia in the Borana pastoral areas of Ethiopia

The study was conducted in selected districts of Borana pastoral areas of Ethiopia, namely Yabello, Dire, Moyale and Liban, during June–September 2004 to determine the status of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP). The study includes a retrospective study, fieldwork, serology, an abattoir investigation and isolation of the causative Mycoplasma. Outbreaks of CCPP were reported from almost all regions of the country, especially from lowland areas, which are known goat-rearing regions, with the highest in 2002. The predominant clinical findings observed in affected flocks were coughing, nasal discharge, weakness, reluctance to move, abduction of elbow and laboured breathing. A total of 35 sheep and goats, of 183 examined, were sero-positive for MCCP F38 antibodies using CFT. From the total of 217 goats examined in the abattoir for the presence of CCPP lesions, 21 (9.7%) showed pathological lesions, inflamed lungs with marbled appearance, fibrous pleuropneumonia, yellowish-coloured pleural fluid and swollen bronchial and mediastinal lymph nodes. The causative agent (Mycoplasma capricolum sp. capripneumoniae) was isolated and identified from tissue samples and thoracic fluid treated bacteriologically. In conclusion, the study indicates that CCPP is becoming a very important goat disease in Borana pastoral areas.