Sero-prevalences of selected cattle diseases in the Kafue flats of Zambia

Abstract

Sera from five traditionally managed herds grazing in the Kafue flats were tested for antibodies to bovine viral diarrhoea-mucosal disease (BVD-MD), parainfluenza 3 (PI3), infectious bovine rhinotracheitis-infectious pustular vulvovaginitis (IBR-IPV), bovine adenovirus 3 (BAV3) and Bluetongue (BT). The sero-prevalences of the first four diseases were respectively 76.2, 94.4, 42.1 and 87.4%. Five samples (2.3%) gave doubtful reactions for BT. Prevalences of 28.5% for brucellosis, 14% for Rift Valley fever (RFV), 0.9% for Q fever and 11.2% for chlamydiosis were also recorded. Significantly higher values for BVD-MD (p less than 0.005), IBR-IPV (p less than 0.01) and brucellosis (p less than 0.05) were found in animals over 1 year of age. No differences were recorded between herds or between male and female animals. The high concentration of wild and domestic ruminants grazing together in the flood plains during the dry season may be a major determinant of the high values observed. Traditional farmers, slaughterhouse workers and other people involved in livestock production are particularly at risk of contracting brucellosis and RVF because of the high prevalences in cattle and local habits favourable to their transmission.

Seroprevalence and risk factors for peste des petits ruminants and selected differential diagnosis in sheep and goats in Tanzania

“…In wild buffaloes, mainly from northern parts of Tanzania, 16.9% had antibodies to BVDV [61]. Five cattle herds in the Kafue flats of Zambia were tested for antibodies to a selection of pathogens, and 76.2% were positive for BVDV [65]. A more recent study was performed in western Kenya; calves aged 3–7 days were tested for antibodies to BVDV and an adjusted seroprevalence of 19.8% was identified [66].…”

Prevalence of antibodies to Brucella spp. and individual risk Factors of Infection in Traditional Cattle, Goats and Sheep Reared in Livestock–Wildlife Interface Areas of Zambia

“…Further, Brucella was supposed to exist at 16% within herd and 60% between-herd prevalence (Ghirotti et al, 1991;Pandey et al, 1999). The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for the Rose Bengal test (RBT) were assumed to be 90% and 75%, and for competitive ELISA (c-ELISA) 98% and 99%, based on previous validation studies (Nielsen et al, 1995(Nielsen et al, , 1996McGiven et al, 2003).…”

“…The flood plains also provide suitable habitats for wildlife in the Liuwa plain, Kafue, Blue Lagoon, Lochinvar and Sioma Ngwezi national parks. Interaction between cattle and wildlife on these plains is common and wildlife have been suspected to be reservoirs of livestock diseases (Rottcher, 1978;Ghirotti et al, 1991). At present, Zambia has 19 national parks covering a total of 63 585 km2, representing about 8.0% of the country's total area (Saiwana, 1995).…”

“…Brucellosis and other infectious diseases such as anthrax, contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) and foot and mouth disease (FMD) are prevalent in the traditional sector owing to poor husbandry practices, low standards of hygiene and inadequate resources to control diseases (Ghirotti et al, 1991;Mainar-Jaime and Vazquez-Boland, 1999). The interaction between traditional livestock and wildlife facilitates bimodal transmission of diseases, with both domestic animals and wildlife being important reservoirs (Godfroid et al, 1994;Jiwa et al, 1996).…”

“…Some studies have been conducted on brucellosis in Zambia (Bell et al, 1976;Ghirotti et al, 1991;Pandey et al, 1999), but these previous studies were mainly concentrated in commercial herds in peri-urban areas. However, circumstantial evidence suggests that the disease could be one of the major constraints to livestock production under this farming system, and both brucellosis and abortions in Lochinvar area have been documented in previous studies (Perry et al, 1984;Ghirotti et al, 1991;Suzuki et al, 1996). In general however, there is no updated information on Brucella infections in the traditional animal sector.…”