Government Gives 600,000 Vaccines to Protect Livestock Against Disease

Livestock Minister Makozo Chikote announced on 16th May the procurement of 600,000 Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) to protect Zambia’s livestock from disease.

CBPP attacks the lungs and membranes causing serious respiratory issues and fever symptoms. It is highly contagious, flourishing amongst herd mammals and has a mortality rate of up to 50%. It was known in Europe as early as the 16th century, and spread throughout the world as international trade in livestock increased.

Whilst there is no medical risk to humans, the loss of livestock to the disease has a serious effect on the country’s food supply security. Treatment of infected animals with antibiotics is not recommended, as it leads to healthy looking animals who still carry the disease and continue to infect others.

Mr. Chikote explained that the western province has already received the highest number of doses, whilst the remaining stock will be dispatched to provinces in the north and northwest.

He also emphasised that the vaccines were not a treatment for the disease as such, but rather a measure to build immunity amongst cattle populations, “we want to start with where the source is”. Going to the root of the problem rather than curbing the effects is an important approach, as it will help prevent future outbreaks at crucial times when peoples’ livelihoods depend so greatly on agricultural production.