Rinderpest and Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus Plagues of Large and Small Ruminants

About this book

Rinderpest and Peste des Petits Ruminants tells the story of how, by the year 2010, scientists are set to globally eradicate one of the great historic plagues that has ravaged human livestock for centuries. Descriptions of the disease in Europe date back to the 4th century and it was regularly re-introduced following wars and other civil unrest until late in the 19th century. It was introduced with devastating effect into Africa towards the end of the 19th century and is now widespread across sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and Southern Asia. Its causative agent, rinderpest virus, a morbillivirus very closely related to human measles virus, decimates the cattle population along with those of other susceptible domestic ruminants and many wildlife species wherever it is present.

Contents

Preface General Introduction Rinderpest, An Old Worldwide Story Rinderpest in Africa The Morbilliviruses Rinderpest and Peste des Petits Ruminants Viruses The Disease Epidemiology and Transmission of Rinderpest Rinderpest and Wildlife, A Controversy Immunology of Rinderpest: An Immunosuppression but a Lifelong Protection Old Prophylactic Methods History of Vaccines and Vaccination New Generation Vaccines Against Rinderpest and Peste des Petits Ruminants Towards Eradication of Rinderpest Conclusions Glossary Index Index of the Key Players in the History of Rinderpest Research Key References List

Customer Reviews

Biography

Dr Taylor has had a long and distinguished career in veterinary medicine, much of it devoted to eliminating rinderpest. His early work concentrated on rinderpest and PPR pathogenesis and epidemiology in Africa. Later he developed a vaccine for PPR at Pirbright Laboratory and then went on to become the EU advisor for the rinderpest eradication campaign in India. He now acts as a freelance consultant for the FAO, mainly investigating rinderpest and PPR outbreaks. Professor Barrett heads the Morbillivirus Group at the Institute for Animal Healths Pirbright Laboratory. Professor Pastoret is a former Director of the Institute for Animal Health and is now a consultant to the BBSRC on animal health issues. He is an internationally renowned researcher, specialising in viral diseases and in immunology and vaccination, and was closely involved in the development of effective strategies for rabies control in Europe.