article · Discover Animals
Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia is a severe, often fatal respiratory infection affecting goats and sheep. A field investigation conducted between November 2022 and September 2023 in the West Shewa Zone of Ethiopia assessed the presence of antibodies against the causative agent, Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae, and evaluated local farming knowledge. Analysis of 433 serum samples showed an overall seroprevalence of 19.4 per cent, with goats displaying a significantly higher seropositivity rate of 26.8 per cent compared to 5.4 per cent in sheep. Significant risk factors linked to exposure included the animal species, extensive management systems, and the introduction of purchased livestock. Furthermore, a concurrent survey revealed that 91.8 per cent of local farmers had never heard of the disease, and 87.3 per cent did not vaccinate their herds. The results indicate that the disease poses an under-recognised threat to small ruminant health in the region.
Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia threatens small ruminant livestock, which are vital to rural farming economies. Understanding the local prevalence, high-risk husbandry practices, and gaps in farmer awareness helps animal health authorities design effective control measures. Without targeted vaccination and education, the disease can circulate undetected and cause severe economic and herd losses for pastoralist and smallholder communities.
This research provides baseline epidemiological evidence rather than a commercial product. The data can inform veterinary pharmaceutical providers, animal health agencies, and extension services regarding local demand for vaccines and diagnostics. Because this is an observational field study, direct commercialisation is not indicated, though it highlights an under-served market for livestock vaccines and farmer training programmes.
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Abstract Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) is a highly fatal respiratory disease of sheep and goats, causing substantial economic losses, particularly in Ethiopia. However, evidence on its seroprevalence and risk factors in the study area remains scarce. Thus, a cross-sectional seroepidemiological study was conducted from November 2022 to September 2023 in West Shewa Zone to estimate CCPP seroprevalence and identify associated risk factors. In addition, a questionnaire survey was conducted to assess farmers’ perceptions toward CCPP. The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. A panel of 433 serum samples (goat, n = 284; sheep, n = 149) was evaluated for Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. Capripneumonia e (Mccp) antibody seropositivity using c-ELISA. The overall seroprevalence was 19.4%, with higher Mccp antibody seropositivity in goats (26.8%) than in sheep (5.4%). Multivariable logistic regression identified species (AOR = 5.5, 95% CI = 2.523–12.202, p < 0.001), extensive management system (AOR = 2.8, 95% CI = 1.112–7.239, p = 0.029), and purchase of animals (AOR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.517–4.754, p = 0.001) as potential risk factors. The survey revealed that about 91.8% of farmers have not heard about CCPP, while 87.3% of respondents do not vaccinate their animals against CCPP. These findings highlight CCPP as a major constraint to small ruminant production in the study area. Therefore, strengthening disease surveillance, implementing targeted vaccination programs, and improving animal health management practices among farmers are recommended to mitigate its impact.
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DOI: 10.1007/s44338-026-00246-3
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