RINDERPEST OR ATTLEPLAGUE

RINDERPEST OR ATTLEPLAGUEDefinition : It is highly contagious and febrile disease of ruminants and swine and characterised by sudden onset. high fever and ulcerative inflammation of mucous membranes of the mouth and gastro-intestinal tract. It occurs in cloven i.e. split or dividid footed animals such as cattle. buffalo, sheep, goats, pigs and wild ruminants. The indigenous cattle runs a mild course with 20 to 50° mortality whereas foreign breeds are more susceptible with more than 90°F mortality.Etiology : It is caused by Morbilli viruses. The virus is found in all secretions and excretions of infected animals such as the saliva, dischrges from eyes and nostrils, urine and faeces. It remains present in the circulating blood during the febrile stage of the disease and is later concentrated in the different organs. Outside the animal body, the virus is rapidly destroyed by direct sunlight and disinfectants.The disease usually spreads through contaminated materials as feeds, water, utensils, clothing, hides, etc and attendants. It may also spread through air, contaminated infective discharges, faeces and urine.The incubation period of the disease varies from 3 to 9 days. About 4 to 6 days of invasion the symptoms of the disease develop.Symptoms:The first noticeable signs are sudden onset, rapid course, considerable number of animals affected, pyrexia, rise of temperature 104° to 108°F, suspended rumination, loss of appetite, dullness, depression, great thirst, mouth hot, buccal mucous membranes congested and red, slight colic, arching of the back and spasmodic twitching and the dung usually covered with mucous.Later on, red spots like pin points and greyish-white nodular elevations are usually seen on the gum, hard palate, tongue, inside the lips and cheeks, pharynx is congested, salivation, conjunctivitis, a mucopurulent discharge from eyes and nostrils. The spots and elevations enlarge and coalesce to form ulcers wiht round raised edges and a depression covered with bran-like deposits. The removal of superficial deposits leaves bright red erosions.Similar lesions also develop in the abomasum and throughout the intestines. Purging now sets in like shooting diarrhoea. The faeces like rotten fish. The rectal mucous membrane become congested and swollen due to constant diarrhoea and may get everted. The anal region is soiled with blood stained fotid faeces. The animal lies down with head turned towards the flank.In some cases, the skin of udder and hairless space, over the neck and shoulder, under surface of the belly land inner side of thigh etc become covered with scabes, scales and sores.In milch animals, milk yield is reduced and pregnant animals usually abort.The animal loses the condition rapidly and becomes weak, emaciated and exhausted due to anorexia, fever and severe diarrhoea. Death may result in 6 to 10 days from the onset of the symptoms.