Infectious disease outbreak confirmed among cattle in Opuwo
The agriculture ministry has imposed an immediate ban on the transportation of cattle into and out of the Opuwo district after an outbreak of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) was confirmed in the village of Okapundja.
“This village is located about 51 kilometres east of Opuwo. So far, the disease has been detected in a herd of 30 cattle, with eight cattle testing positive and one cow having died,” explained acting chief veterinary officer of the ministry, Johannes Shoopala.
He said CBPP primarily affects the lungs and pleura of cattle and buffalo, leading to fever and respiratory problems such as laboured or rapid breathing, coughing and nasal discharge. The disease is highly contagious and has a mortality rate of up to 50%, causing significant economic losses.
“The transmission of the disease occurs through direct contact between an infected and a susceptible animal. Since some animals can carry the disease without showing symptoms, controlling its spread is more difficult. The disease cannot be treated and infected cattle remain a source of further infection for other cattle,” Shoopala explained.
Measures implemented
To protect the livestock industry, the directorate of veterinary services has implemented several immediate control measures. These include the complete restriction on transporting live cattle into and out of the Opuwo urban constituency, except for cattle that are to be slaughtered directly under veterinary supervision within 48 hours.
Shoopala urged all farmers with unvaccinated cattle to have their livestock vaccinated against CBPP and appealed to the public and farmers to strictly adhere to the measures put in place.
“This village is located about 51 kilometres east of Opuwo. So far, the disease has been detected in a herd of 30 cattle, with eight cattle testing positive and one cow having died,” explained acting chief veterinary officer of the ministry, Johannes Shoopala.
He said CBPP primarily affects the lungs and pleura of cattle and buffalo, leading to fever and respiratory problems such as laboured or rapid breathing, coughing and nasal discharge. The disease is highly contagious and has a mortality rate of up to 50%, causing significant economic losses.
“The transmission of the disease occurs through direct contact between an infected and a susceptible animal. Since some animals can carry the disease without showing symptoms, controlling its spread is more difficult. The disease cannot be treated and infected cattle remain a source of further infection for other cattle,” Shoopala explained.
Measures implemented
To protect the livestock industry, the directorate of veterinary services has implemented several immediate control measures. These include the complete restriction on transporting live cattle into and out of the Opuwo urban constituency, except for cattle that are to be slaughtered directly under veterinary supervision within 48 hours.
Shoopala urged all farmers with unvaccinated cattle to have their livestock vaccinated against CBPP and appealed to the public and farmers to strictly adhere to the measures put in place.
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