How to spot rinderpest, what to do if you suspect it and measures to prevent its spread.
Rinderpest is a disease of cattle.
Humans aren’t affected.
The last outbreak in Great Britain was in 1877.
The rinderpest virus was eradicated worldwide in 2011. There is a small chance of an outbreak, for example if disease samples were to escape from a laboratory.
Rinderpest is a notifiable disease. That means if you suspect it you must tell the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) immediately. Failure to do so is an offence.
How to spot rinderpest
Signs of rinderpest may include:
- grain-like bumps in the nostrils and inside the lips and cheeks that often develop into ulcers
- discharge of watery mucus from eyes and nostrils, occasionally including blood
- rapid breathing
- reduced milk production in cows
- loss of appetite
Cattle may be constipated In the early stages of rinderpest.
In the later stages diarrhoea is common, in which case the dung has a foul smell and is often tinged with blood.
Rinderpest spreads quickly within a herd and animals usually die 6 to 10 days after signs appear.
How rinderpest is spread
Rinderpest is generally spread by direct contact with an infected animal or its body fluids.
The disease can also be spread by contaminated equipment and clothing, and over small distances on the breath of infected animals.
Preventing and controlling rinderpest
You can help prevent disease by practising strict biosecurity on your premises.
If you report suspicion of rinderpest APHA vets will investigate.
If rinderpest is confirmed, the outbreak will be controlled in line with the contingency plan for exotic notifiable diseases.
Further information on prevention and control
Legislation relating to rinderpest
The main domestic legislation on rinderpest is the Cattle Plague Order 1928
Published: 26 August 2014
Updated: 1 October 2014
- AHVLA documents have been re-assigned to the new Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
- First published.