Evaluation of the vaccinal protection against rinderpest in Cameroon

Abstract

Cameroon joined the sero-survey component of the PARC (Pan AfricanRinderoest Campaign) program in 1989. During the 1992 Campaign, a detailed sampling frame, adapted to the breeding conditions of the North Province was drawn up according to PARC recommendations. The four administrative divisions of the province were covered by sampling cattle in 14 sites chosen by randomisation. Eight thousand six hundred and eighty sera samples from 217 cattle herds were tested using FAO/IAEA rinderpest competitive ELISA technique. The results indicated an overall prevalence of rinderpest virus antibodies (RPVA) of 66 %. This is below the target objective. The differences of prevalence between age groups and breeding systems (sedentary or transhumant) are statistically significant. The same results have been reported in the Adamaoua Province (62 % in 1991 campaign). These results do not reflect the situation in all the country. It is suggested to hold general meeting between different livestock managers from the provinces with high cattle populations to adopt commun vaccination measures with the target objective of increasing the level of immunity.