Rinderpest

Rinderpest was a highly contagious viral disease that primarily affected cattle and other ruminants like buffalo and antelopes. Caused by the rinderpest virus, it led to severe fever, mouth sores, diarrhea, and high mortality rates, drastically impacting livestock populations and economies. Historically, it spread across Africa, Asia, and parts of Europe, causing devastating agricultural losses. Thanks to global vaccination efforts, rinderpest was declared eradicated in 2011, making it only the second disease to be completely wiped out through coordinated international disease control. Its eradication highlights the effectiveness of vaccination and disease management strategies.