Mozambique has budgeted US$300 000 to fund the pilot phase of a national project to prevent and control bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis.

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB), which is caused by Mycobacterium bovis, has a 10.8% prevalence rate among cattle in Mozambique.

Deputy Tourism and Culture minister Ana Comoana says up to 430 000 cattle will be tested and vaccinated under the 2018 prevention programme since bTB is a major bovine health threat. 1 828 cases were recorded in cattle across the country in 2016, which is a 26.5% increase compared to 2015.

The testing and vaccination programme will cover the 6 provinces of Maputo, Gaza, Inhambane, Sofala, Zambezi and Manica. “The implementation strategy for the new plan of action includes permanent epidemiological surveillance, compulsory vaccination of cattle, control of animal movements, increased inspections and post-testing certification.

“The government hopes that reducing the incidence of these diseases will lead to an increase in the size of the country’s cattle herd, and an increase in the average carcass weight from 146 kg to at least 160 kg. That will improve the profitability of cattle farming, and reduce the risk of transmitting diseases to humans,” says Comoana.

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