Sustainability of control of CBPP in Tanzania: a case study of Southern Highlands of Tanzania

Abstract

This paper presents preliminary results on the contribution of cattle keepers‘ efforts in Southern Highland Zone (SHZ) of Tanzania towards the control of Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP), which re-emerged in 2011 after cessation of the Rollback Vaccination Programme (RBVP). The RBVP was implemented in the zone from 2003 to 2008. Following the re-emergence of the disease, vaccination campaigns were conducted and cattle keepers compliance ranged between 66% and 166.3%. The costs for the vaccination campaigns were covered by cattle keepers in their respective LGAs. Interviews of veterinarians, livestock officers and cattle keepers in these LGAs revealed that in the absence of a national-wide programme like RBVP, if cattle keepers are mobilized and well-coordinated, they can contribute resources that will complement Government efforts for sustainability of CBPP control in the country. Between 2011 and 2017 CBPP were recorded in the 13 LGAs of SHZ with highest number was recorded in 2015 especially in Mbarali district. Masamala slaughterhouse survey in Songea based on records indicated CBPP prevalence of 2.2%. With these results, CBPP is still a problem in SHZ and creation of awareness to livestock keepers on the disease coupled with vaccination can give good outcome on the control of the disease. Nevertheless, using the observations in the SHZ, consideration should be made to declare CBPP control a shared good between the Government and cattle owners.

Keywords: CBPP, southern highlands zone, sustainable CBPP control, RBVP