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A serological survey of rinderpest antibody in wildlife and sheep and goats in Northern Tanzania

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

E. C. Anderson ,
M. Jago ,
T. Mlengeya ,
C. Timms ,
A. Payne  and
K. Hirji
E. C. Anderson*
Affiliation:
Department of Experimental Pathology, Pirbright Laboratory, Institute of Animal Health, Pirbright, Surrey, UK
M. Jago
Affiliation:
Serengeti Wildlife Research Institute, PO Box 661, Arusha, Tanzania
T. Mlengeya
Affiliation:
Serengeti Wildlife Research Institute, PO Box 661, Arusha, Tanzania
C. Timms
Affiliation:
Department of Experimental Pathology, Pirbright Laboratory, Institute of Animal Health, Pirbright, Surrey, UK
A. Payne
Affiliation:
Department of Experimental Pathology, Pirbright Laboratory, Institute of Animal Health, Pirbright, Surrey, UK
K. Hirji
Affiliation:
Serengeti Wildlife Research Institute, PO Box 661, Arusha, Tanzania
*
* Dr E. C. Anderson, c/o British High Commission, PO Box 4490, Causeway, Harare, Zimbabwe.
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Summary

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An extensive serological survey for rinderpest antibody in wildlife, principally buffalo (Syncerus caffer), and sheep and goats has been undertaken in the previously endemic region of Northern Tanzania to determine whether or not the virus has continued to cycle in susceptible species since the last occurrence of overt disease in 1982. The results show that infection but not disease has occurred at least until 1987 in buffalo in parts of the Serengeti National Park but not in the other game areas of Tanzania where samples were taken. Sero-positive sheep and goats were widely distributed and have been found in 10 of the 14 districts sampled but there have been no reports of disease. These findings bring into question the possibility of eradicating the disease from Africa and continuous annual monitoring of this and other similar ecological zones will be required.

Type
Special Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 105 , Issue 1 , August 1990 , pp. 203 - 214
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1990

References

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