What is Cattle Plague?
Cattle plague is known as Rinderpest, which is a highly contagious viral disease that affects domestic and wild cloven-hoofed animals, particularly cattle. It is caused by the Rinderpest virus, a member of the Paramyxoviridae family.

Characteristics of Rinderpest:
- Rinderpest is characterized by high fever, oral and nasal discharge, diarrhea, dehydration, and sometimes death in affected animals.
- The virus is transmitted through direct contact with infected animals or their bodily fluids, as well as through contaminated feed and equipment.

History of Rinderpest:
- Rinderpest has had a significant impact on livestock populations throughout history, leading to devastating losses in cattle herds.
- It was once considered one of the most serious diseases of livestock, causing widespread economic losses and affecting food security.

Eradication Efforts:
- Due to its devastating effects, global eradication efforts were launched in the 20th century.
- In 2011, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) officially declared that Rinderpest had been eradicated, making it the second disease to be eradicated after smallpox.

Importance of Eradication:
- The successful eradication of Rinderpest has had significant benefits for livestock health, food security, and the livelihoods of farmers worldwide.
- It also demonstrated the importance of international cooperation and coordinated efforts in combating infectious diseases.
In conclusion, Rinderpest, also known as cattle plague, was a highly contagious viral disease that had a significant impact on livestock populations. Through global eradication efforts, the disease has been successfully eradicated, highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts in combating infectious diseases.