Source: Harbin Veterinary Research Institute

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) project on Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia BEN-1 Vaccine Evaluation was launched, with Harbin Veterinary Research Institute (HVRI) of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) being the lead grantee in a consortium.

     The kick-off meeting of the BMGF project, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in February, brought together experts from HVRI, African Union-Pan African Veterinary Vaccine Centre (PANVAC), French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), International Livestock Research Institute（ILRI）and Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicines (GALVmed) and came out with the agreement to pilot CBPP vaccine in PANVAC. 

     CBPP is a highly infectious disease of cattle caused by Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides (Mmm). It is a major constraint to cattle production in big areas of sub-Saharan Africa where 18 countries are reported to be affected by this disease. Estimates of the socio-economic impact of CBPP vary significantly with annual economic loss estimates ranging from $80 million to $2 billion worldwide. It is not only a question on the high mortality rates (50%), but also lack of ability of cattle to recover but remain chronic carriers of the disease for up to 2 years after initial infection. Besides, the vaccines against CBPP used in Africa have not being effective in prevent the CBPP’s spread, which cause CBPP a serious transboundary disease that spread and strike rapidly in other unaffected territories.

     The BEN-1 vaccine, developed in the 1960’s by HVRI, has proved to be successful in controlling CBPP in China. The effective use of the vaccination to control the disease contributes greatly to the eradication of CBPP in China. And there is no doubt that the project will use BEN-1 vaccine to control CBPP in Africa with substantial benefits for small-scale livestock keepers, who currently bear the huge loss due to the disease, which will eradicate disease and improve livestock keeper’s income.