Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine of Ireland
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine of Ireland
07/13/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/13/2023 11:05
Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia
What is contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP)?
Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) is a bacterial disease of cattle that causes severe pneumonia and is often fatal. In countries where the disease is present, outbreaks result in considerable economic losses, threaten food security and safe trade, and present huge challenges to cattle production.
Ireland, and the rest of the EU, is free of CBPP. It is a notifiable disease which means that any suspected case of CBPP must be reported to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine without delay.
What animals are affected by CBPP?
CBPP affects cattle and Asian buffalo. Infections have also been reported in yak and bison. Sheep and goats can become infected, but they are not thought be important in the spread of the disease. There is no evidence to suggest that the bacteria affects humans.
Where is CBPP present in the world?
CBPP is widespread in parts of Africa. Sporadic outbreaks have occurred in the Middle East. The last outbreak in the EU occurred in Portugal in 1999. Ireland has been free of the disease since 1892.
Can CBPP affect humans?
There is no evidence to suggest that the bacteria which causes CBPP, Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. Mycoides, affects humans.
How can an animal become infected with CBPP?
CBPP is caused by Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides. The bacteria can be found in saliva, urine, foetal membranes and uterine discharges of infected animals. CBPP is mainly spread through inhalation of droplets from infected coughing animals. Close and repeated contact is generally required for transmission to occur, however, spread over hundreds of metres is possible. Transplacental infection can occur, meaning that the infection can be spread from an infected dam to her offspring. Spread of the virus through contaminated surfaces and materials (i.e. fomites) is considered unlikely as the bacteria does not survive for long in the environment.
Carrier animals can harbour the bacteria for months to years without showing obvious clinical signs. These animals are thought to be capable of spreading infection.
How would I know if an animal had CBPP?
CBPP causes disease with severe respiratory symptoms. Animals can show signs of illness from three weeks to six months after coming infected. In herds with outbreaks of CBPP up to 80% of cattle may become infected. The mortality rate can be as high as 50%.
The following clinical signs may be seen:
• Sudden death
• Loss of appetite
• Depression
• Drop in milk production
• Respiratory signs such as coughing, nasal discharge, increased respiratory rate and painful, difficult breathing
• Recumbency
• Bleeding from the nose
• Diarrhoea
• Abortion
• Ill-thrift and recurrent fever in chronic cases
• Swelling of joints in calves
Other diseases have similar clinical signs to CBPP, therefore laboratory diagnosis is required to confirm the presence of CBPP.
What should I do if I suspect CBPP?
CBPP is a notifiable disease under both National and European legislation. If you suspect that your cattle are or may be affected by CBPP, you must contact DAFM.
To report a suspect case, please contact your local Regional Veterinary Office (RVO) (9am-5pm). Outside of office hours, you can ring the National Disease Emergency Hotline on 01-492-8026 (which is operational 365 days of the year).
How could CBPP enter Ireland?
The bacteria does not survive for long in the environment, therefore, CBPP is most likely to enter Ireland through the introduction of an infected animal or embryo.
How can we keep Ireland free from CBPP?
Strict rules are in place to help prevent CBPP from being introduced into Ireland. Areas where CBPP is present are not permitted to export susceptible live animals and certain animal products to the EU. Live animals and animal products from third countries (non-EU Member States) entering Ireland must comply with stringent import control requirements and must undergo inspection in a designated Border Control Post supervised by DAFM.
What is biosecurity?
Biosecurity is the combination of all measures, whether physical or through management, taken to reduce the risk of introduction and spread of diseases. Biosecurity is the basis of all disease control programs, as improved biosecurity will result in lower rates of disease overall. There is no 'one size fits all' approach to biosecurity as the circumstances of each farm or premises are unique. Therefore, biosecurity measures must be tailored to each individual setting.
Biosecurity is about preventing disease from getting into a premises but also in the event of an outbreak, minimising spread within a premises and ensuring that disease doesn't get out to infect other animals.
Biosecurity does not have to be expensive. Small changes can have a large impact, e.g., quarantine of recently purchased animals away from the rest of the herd for at least four weeks, disinfection points for boots at the entrance/exits to all cattle housing, handwashing, etc.
What can I do to improve Biosecurity?
The best protection for your herd against cattle diseases is a strong biosecurity policy. Good biosecurity improves overall herd health and productivity by helping to keep out disease. In the event of an outbreak, it also limits the spread of disease within and off your premises.
12. What would happen if an outbreak of CBPP were to occur in Ireland?
In the event of an outbreak of CBPP in Ireland, control measures are introduced to eradicate the disease. A restriction zone (a 3km surveillance zone) is established around the location of an outbreak. Susceptible animals on the affected farm are culled and tracing of any movements of in contact animals and animal products is performed. Monitoring and sampling of animals on farms within the restricted zone is carried out as well as restrictions on any activities that could spread the disease to other animals or farms. Other countries would place trade restrictions on the export from Ireland of susceptible species and their products.