Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
pigs, sheep, and goats. Human infection is rare. It is not very lethal to adult animals but
causes severe loss in weight and milk production. Symptoms include high fever, blisters
inside the mouth, and blisters on the feet. It is found in most countries of the world.
Some countries have been able to eliminate the disease within their borders and main-
tain strict monitoring to prevent infection from other countries. When infected animals
are found, the only remedy is to slaughter them and all animals that have had contact
with them. In severe cases, even animals on adjacent farms are slaughtered, burned, and
buried as a precaution. A vaccine is available but is not always effective since there are
seven strains (serotypes) of the virus. Most vaccines only protect against three to four
serotypes for periods from a few months to several years.
Vesicular Stomatitis.
Vesicular stomatitis is a viral disease of cattle. To date it
has only been reported in North and South America. Symptoms are similar to
foot-and-mouth disease. It can infect humans handling infected animals. Most
animals recover in 2 to 3 weeks. Though widespread, its most serious threat is
confusion with food-and-mouth disease.
Rinderpest.
Rinderpest is also known as cattle plague. It is caused by a virus
affecting both cattle and buffaloes. Though previously widespread in Eurasia and
Africa, it is now confined to a few areas of Africa and central Asia. The Global Rinder-
pest Eradication Programme of FAO aims to eliminate the disease by 2010. There is
only one serotype but several strains have differing degrees of virulence. Depending
on the strain, animals may recover or most will die. It does not affect humans.
Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia.
Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia
is endemic to Africa and Eurasia. It was eradicated from the United States in 1892. It is
caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma mycoides, which are spread by droplets of moisture
exhaled by infected cattle and buffaloes. It does not affect other animals or humans.
Mortality ranges from 10 to 70 percent depending on environmental conditions.
Cattle cannot be imported into the United States from countries where this disease
is present.
Lumpy Skin Disease.
Lumpy Skin Disease is a highly contagious viral disease
affecting cattle in Africa and Eurasia. Symptoms are fever, lameness, and the develop-
ment of lumps or nodules in the skin. It is spread by biting insects and through direct
contact with infected animals. While it is not normally fatal, there is damage to the
hides and cattle from infected areas cannot be exported. It does not affect humans or
other animal species.
Rift Valley Fever.
Rift Valley fever is caused by a virus transmitted by mosqui-
toes infecting primarily cattle. It is highly contagious to humans and may be fatal.
Among cattle, it is most serious among young animals. In addition to high mortality,
it causes abortions in pregnant cows. It is distributed throughout Africa and parts of
the Middle East. Symptoms in cattle are fever, weakness, and death of young
