Rinderpest

Foreign Animal Diseases

Abstract

I will deal with control and eradication of rinderpest in the event of its introduction into countries like the U.S. where the disease has not previously existed.

One cannot overemphasize the importance of prompt diagnosis. We cannot deal satisfactorily with a new disease problem until we know the cause and the extent of the disease.

If there is any doubt in the field about a suspect disease being rinderpest the disease should be dealt with as rinderpest until laboratory tests are carried out. At this stage strict quarantine should be sufficient. Control of cattle movements is highly effective in stopping the spread of rinderpest.