Global eradication of rinderpest. Yea or nay?
Rinderpest is a scourge continuing to change the course of history. The German "Rinderpest" in English fails to convey the spectre of Death, Despair and Desolation long associated with the disease. Although the causal morbillivirus cross-protects against other morbillivirus, there is only one rinderpest serotype which is both immuno-suppressive and immunogenic. Safe vaccines induce lifelong protection in cattle. Transmission follows close contact between sick and healthy artiodactyls. Infectious periods are short and deaths may be curtailed by liberal fluid replacement therapy. Carriers do not exist. In other words rinderpest is a prime candidate for eradication. Why has it not happened? The major obstacle is "man's inhumanity to man". Rinderpest thrives in a milieu of armed conflict and fleeing refugee masses. Until world peace is secured, the "Nays" win the argument.
Centre for Tropical Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. gordon.scott@ed.ac.uk
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D000818:Animals; D002020:Buffaloes; D002417:Cattle; D012301:Rinderpest / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D014765:Viral Vaccines
D014765:Viral Vaccines