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Rinderpest was a virus that affected hooved animals (cattle). The most effective strains killed up to 95% of cattle populations. It is the second disease we have ever eliminated.

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It was in 1887 that Italian soldiers brought Rinderpest, a disease that only circulated through Asia and Europe at the time, to Ethiopia in an effort to colonize that part of Africa. Unknowingly they had brought the deadly virus through cattle acquired in India.

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Within 10 years the virus had spread from the Serengeti to most parts of Africa. This virus affected over 32 countries and took out an estimated third (or more) of pastoralist people who relied on the cattle for food.

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In 1945 the Food and Agriculture Organization from the UK started a campaign advocating for a Rinderpest vaccine.

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In 1960 a new Rinderpest vaccine was released and although it was more effective than past versions it had unrealistic storage requirements that just couldn't be met. We needed help.

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In the early 1960s veterinarians took charge and focused on stopping the spread by vaccinating cattle, therefore, creating "herd immunity". This was a challenge though and veterinarians had to convince local populations that the vaccines wouldn't hurt their cattle.

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We had to vaccinate the animals by wrestling them. It was a hard and long process hence the reason it took so long. Locals began to help and another vaccine, just as effective as the last, was created and it could survive a month without refrigeration. This ran us to the finish line and in 1979 the virus was deemed gone.

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In the 1980s and 90s there were few cases and it remained spotty. In 1997 the last known case was reported in Tanzania. Proof of the virus' elimination is the fact that there were no more antibodies in cattle to protect them from the virus. Yay!!