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Rinderpest is an acute to subacute contagious viral disease of ruminants and pigs that can cause morbidity and mortality rates in excess of ninety per cent, though inapparent infections also occur. The disease is characterized by necrosis and erosions in the gastrointestinal tract that result in severe diarrhoea and dehydration. It is caused by a morbillivirus, a member of a group of enveloped viruses forming a separate genus within the family Paramyxoviridae. Viruses in this genus included rinderpest virus (RPV) infecting cattle and other large ruminants, peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) infecting sheep and goats, canine distemper virus (CDV) which infects carnivores, human measles virus (MV), and other members in marine mammals. Members of the genus are closely related antigenically and are distinguished from the other paramyxoviruses by their lack of neuraminidase activity.

Rinderpest is an acute to subacute contagious viral disease of ruminants and pigs that can cause morbidity and mortality rates in excess of ninety per cent, though inapparent infections also occur. The disease is characterized by necrosis and erosions in the gastrointestinal tract that result in severe diarrhoea and dehydration. It is caused by a morbillivirus, a member of a group of enveloped viruses forming a separate genus within the family Paramyxoviridae. Viruses in this genus included rinderpest virus (RPV) infecting cattle and other large ruminants, peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) infecting sheep and goats, canine distemper virus (CDV) which infects carnivores, human measles virus (MV), and other members in marine mammals. Members of the genus are closely related antigenically and are distinguished from the other paramyxoviruses by their lack of neuraminidase activity.

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In terms of economic losses in domestic animals, rinderpest is the most important member of the group. In the world today it is an infection of extensive pastoral cattle herds in two areas of Africa (Somalia and Sudan) and in some concentrations of inadequately vaccinated cattle and buffalo herds in Pakistan. Its presence is uncertain in Yemen and Kenya.

In terms of economic losses in domestic animals, rinderpest is the most important member of the group. It was eradicated from the UK in 1877, but continued to be endemic in Africa and Asia until very recently. It was present in Sudan and Somalia until the 1994 Global Rinderpest Eradication Programme (GREP) succeeded in its goal in 2011.

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== Clinical Signs ==

== Clinical Signs ==

Signs include ulcers, vesicles and erosions on the tongue and oral mucosa, causing ptyalsim, smacking of the lips and bruxism due to pain. There may also be diarrhoea +/- blood and mucous. Diarrhoea and breath will usually have a foul odour. Generally the animal will be weak, lethargic and have a reluctance to eat. There may be signs of weight loss or reduced weight gain and if in milk, the yield will be severely reduced. There may be occular signs such as excess lacrimation, blepharospasm and reddened conjunctiva. The animal may also be in respiratory distress with dyspnoea, tachypnoea, coughing and nasal dishcarge all possible clinical signs.

The animal will at first become pyrexic, dull and depressed. Signs include ulcers, vesicles and erosions on the tongue and oral mucosa, causing ptyalsim, smacking of the lips and bruxism due to pain. There may also be diarrhoea +/- blood and mucous. Diarrhoea and breath will usually have a foul odour. Generally the animal will be weak, lethargic and have a reluctance to eat. There may be signs of weight loss or reduced weight gain and if in milk, the yield will be severely reduced. There may be occular signs such as excess lacrimation, blepharospasm and reddened conjunctiva. The animal may also be in respiratory distress with dyspnoea, tachypnoea, coughing and nasal dishcarge all possible clinical signs.

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