Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia: Seroprevalence and its associated risk factors in selected districts of Afar region, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: In pastoral and lowland areas of the country particularly in Afar region, studies suggested higher prevalence of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) than mid and highland agro‐ecologies. Though CBPP is a prime constraint to cattle productivity in the region, research outputs pertaining to CBPP are unavailable compared to highland areas. Thus, the objectives of the current study were to determine seroprevalence of CBPP and assess risk factors in selected districts of Afar region. METHODS: A cross‐sectional study was conducted on cattle aged 6 months and above from February 2018 to January 2019 in selected districts of the region. A total of 420 blood samples were collected and sera were separated for further serologic analysis. Using competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (c‐ELISA), antibodies against Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides small colony (MmmSc) were detected at National Veterinary Institute, Ethiopia. Data were analysed using Stata version 14.0. RESULT: Of 420 samples tested by c‐ELISA, 158 samples were found to be positive for CBPP providing an overall seroprevalence of 37.6%. Among the three risk factors considered (age, sex and district) assessed, only two (age and district) were found to be associated significantly with the disease (p < 0.05) at 95% CI and p‐value less than 5% applying logistic regression. CONCLUSION: The study has revealed a higher prevalence of CBPP over the study areas urging a coordinated act to be set in place.