Non-human animal viruses Social history of viruses

epizootics outbreaks (epidemics) of disease among non-human animals. during 20th century significant epizootics of viral diseases in animals, particularly livestock, occurred worldwide. many diseases caused viruses included foot-and-mouth disease, rinderpest of cattle, avian , swine influenza, swine fever , bluetongue of sheep. viral diseases of livestock can devastating both farmers , wider community, outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in uk in 2001 showed.

first appearing in east africa in 1891, rinderpest, disease of cattle, spread rapidly across africa. 1892, 95 per cent of cattle in east africa had died. resulted in famine devastated farmers , nomadic people, of whom entirely dependent on cattle. 2 thirds of population of maasai people died. situation made worse epidemics of smallpox followed in wake of famine. in years of 20th century rinderpest common in asia , parts of europe. prevalence of disease steadily reduced during century control measures included vaccination. 1908 europe free disease. outbreaks did occur following second world war, these controlled. prevalence of disease increased in asia, , in 1957 thailand had appeal aid because many buffaloes had died paddy fields not prepared rice growing. russia west of ural mountains remained free disease – lenin approved several laws on control of disease – cattle in eastern russia infected rinderpest originated in mongolia , china prevalence remained high. india controlled spread of disease, had retained foothold in southern states of tamil nadu , kerala, throughout 20th century, , had eradicated disease 1995. africa suffered 2 major panzootics in 1920s , 1980s. there severe outbreak in somalia in 1928 , disease widespread in country until 1953. in 1980s, outbreaks in tanzania , kenya controlled use of 26 million doses of vaccine, , recurrence of disease in 1997 suppressed intensive vaccination campaign. end of century rinderpest had been eradicated countries. few pockets of infection remained in ethiopia , sudan, , in 1994 global rinderpest eradication programme launched food , agriculture organization (fao) aim of global eradication 2010. in may 2011, fao , world organisation animal health announced rinderpest freely circulating viral disease has been eliminated world.

foot-and-mouth disease highly contagious infection caused aphthovirus, , classified in same family poliovirus. virus has infected animals, ungulates, in africa since ancient times , brought americas in 19th century imported livestock. foot-and-mouth disease fatal, economic losses incurred outbreaks in sheep , cattle herds can high. last occurrence of disease in in 1929, 2001, several large outbreaks occurred throughout uk , thousands of animals killed , burnt.

the natural hosts of influenza viruses pigs , birds, although has infected humans since antiquity. virus can cause mild severe epizootics in wild , domesticated animals. many species of wild birds migrate , has spread influenza across continents throughout ages. virus has evolved numerous strains , continues so, posing ever-present threat.

in years of 21st century epizootics in livestock caused viruses continue have serious consequences. bluetongue disease, disease caused orbivirus broke out in sheep in france in 2007. until disease had been confined americas, africa, southern asia , northern australia, emerging disease around mediterranean.