Staff Reporter
THE Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform has urged all farmers to immediately vaccinate their cattle against Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP).
This call follows the detection of CBPP, commonly known as lung sickness, in cattle in the Okapundja village, located in the Opuwo Urban Constituency of the Kunene Region.
“This village is located about 51 kilometres east of Opuwo. So far, the disease has been detected in one herd of 30 cattle, with eight cattle testing positive and one cow having died,” the ministry’s Acting Chief Veterinary Officer, Johannes Shoopala, revealed.
He explained that CBPP primarily affects the lungs and thoracic membranes of cattle and water buffalo, leading to fever and respiratory issues such as laboured or rapid breathing, coughing, and nasal discharge. He added that because the disease is highly contagious with a mortality rate of up to 50%, it can cause significant economic loss.
“Transmission of the disease occurs through direct contact between an infected and a susceptible animal. Since some animals can carry the disease without showing signs of illness, controlling the spread is more difficult. It cannot be treated, and infected cattle remain a source of further infection to other cattle,” Shoopala explained.
To protect the livestock industry, the Directorate of Veterinary Services has implemented several immediate control measures. These include the complete restriction of movement of live cattle in and out of the Opuwo Urban Constituency, except for cattle destined for direct slaughter within 48 hours under veterinary supervision.
The movement of cattle lung tissues from slaughtered cattle in and out of the Opuwo Urban Constituency is also prohibited, and all cattle gatherings in the constituency are suspended with immediate effect until further notice.
Shoopala also revealed that active CBPP disease surveillance will begin, and roadblocks will be established at strategic locations to enforce the control measures.
He therefore urged all farmers with unvaccinated cattle to obtain mandatory CBPP vaccinations and called on the public and farmers to adhere strictly to these measures.
