Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia in Tanzania: Current status

CBPP reappeared in Arusha, Northern Tanzania in 1990, having been introduce d from Kenya. The disease spread rapidly to Mara region through rustling of sick or infected animals. In November 1992, an unrelated outbreak occurred in Kagera, having spread from Southern Uganda. Up to the end of December 1 994, the disease appeared to be confined to Kagera and Arusha. In January 1 995, CBPP was observed in Morogoro region, south of the central railway lin e. Thereafter, the disease spread through western Tanzania. More recently, further disease has occurred in the Southern Highlands and Central regions. The contaminated area now stretches roughly between latitudes 1 degrees an d 9 degreesS and longitudes 30 degrees and 37 degreesE, with a cattle popul ation of about 10 million. The direct losses incurred as a result of animal mortality, and vaccination campaign and disease surveillance costs have be en assessed at over US$11 million. Indirect losses resulting from chronic d isease are much more difficult to assess but are believed to be even higher . Control of the disease has been through restricting animal movements and a mass vaccination campaign. Uncontrolled animal movement during transhuman ce, trade, cattle thefts and vaccination breakthroughs facilitated the spre ad of the disease.