Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia
This is a very contagious bacterial disease of goats caused by Mycoplasma species with very high mortality rates, causing an interstitial fibrinous pleuropneumonia in infected goats.
Mortality rate can be as high as 80% in a naive flock.
Overcrowding increases disease incidence as it is spread through aerosol when animals are in close contact.
Stress factors such as long transport can also predispose animals to the disease.
CCPP is one of the most severe diseases of goats and affects the respiratory tract, and frequently fatal.
Transmission
Contagious caprine pleuropneumoniae is highly contagious.
Animals get infected by the inhalation of respiratory droplets.
Outbreaks of the disease often occur after heavy rains or after transportation over long distances.
Clinical Signs
Affected animals have respiratory signs including nasal discharges, breathing difficulties , rapid breathing and coughing.
Sudden death.
Affected animals also have general signs such as depression, dullness, weakness and lethargy, fever and weight loss and decreased productivity.
Prevention
Contagious caprine pleuropneumoniae is most likely to enter a flock through an infected animal.
Outbreaks in an endemic areas have occurred when apparently healthy goats were introduced into a new flock.
Prevention of outbreaks can be achieved through quarantine of new animals, biosecurity measures, cleaning and disinfection of premises.
Infected and exposed animals should be slaughtered.
Vaccines help prevent disease in endemic areas.
Some antibiotics, such as tetracycline and tylosin, can be effective if administered early.
