Rinderpest: causes and symptoms, stages and methods of treatment, prevention

Plague is a particularly dangerous infectious disease of zoonotic origin. Accompanied by severe intoxication, fever, disorders of the lymphatic system, tissue necrosis. When infected with plague, the mortality rate of cattle is 100%. The disease is also dangerously high contagiousness and rapid spread to the entire livestock. Despite the fact that plague is considered an eradicated disease, every farmer should know detailed information about it.

What is rinderpest?

In the International classifier, plague is included in group A (carries extreme danger). The official name for the pathology is Pestis bovina. It has a viral nature of origin, destroys the mucous membranes of organs, skin. Infected areas become inflamed and die off quickly.

Cattle remain highly susceptible to the plague virus. In addition to cattle, other ungulates are also likely to get sick:

1. Goats.
2. Sheep.
3. Pigs.
4. Wild ungulates (buffalo, deer).

Causes the disease a virus from among the paramyxaviruses. The plague pathogen has its own RNA. When released into the bloodstream, it quickly spreads in it.

The maximum accumulation of bodies is observed in the lymph nodes, lungs, kidneys. Over time, the pathogen attacks other organs and tissues.

The first information about rinderpest dates back to the beginning of our era. The contagious character was discovered in 1711 and confirmed in 1895. The causative virus was established later - in 1902. Now rinderpest is registered only in 3 world regions: Tropical Africa, the Middle East, Asia. In the countries of the former USSR, rinderpest has not been diagnosed since 1928.

Causes of occurrence

The disease is especially contagious for young cattle under the age of one year. The main source of plague transmission is an infected individual. It releases pathogens into the air, which are contained in body fluids, feces, mucus. 3 main ways of plague transmission:

1. Through the air. The virus enters the respiratory tract of cattle with oxygen. This is facilitated by group and close keeping, poor livestock immunity.
2. Through faeces (alimentary route). The secretions contain particles of the virus. They can get into food, water. This is typical for farms where sanitary standards are not observed, disinfection is not carried out.
3. Dead Species (Mechanical). Birds and insects feed on infected corpses, which, upon contact with cattle, transmit the virus to them.

The causative agent of rinderpest is also transmitted through inventory, servants' clothes. Cases of transmission from mosquitoes, ticks, horseflies have not been recorded. The pathogen remains viable on the skin, horns and in the meat of dead individuals for up to a month. Therefore, infected corpses must be burned.

Symptoms of disease

The incubation period of rinderpest is from 3 to 7 days. There are several variations in the manifestation of infection: typical, latent or abortive (does not reach full development, stops at an early stage). Symptoms may vary depending on the species, breed and immune status of the cattle.

The plague is most pronounced in young animals. The development and progression of the disease takes place in 3 stages.

First stage

Begins in cattle immediately after the end of the incubation period. The second name is febrile plague. Duration - no more than 2-3 days. CRS is characterized by the following clinical signs:

1. Fast breathing, fast pulse.
2. A sharp jump in temperature to 40.
3. Full refusal to eat at the same time as excessive water intake.
4. Redness and inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye.
5. Acquiring high daylight sensitivity.

Second stage

Starts after 2-3 days of primary leak. An indicator of the second stage of plague in cattle is the appearance of necrotic foci on the mucous membranes. The conjunctiva, mouth and nasal cavity are primarily affected. Calving individuals at this stage die. Symptoms of plague in the second stage:

1. Restless behavior - individuals sneeze, turn their heads, stomp on the spot.
2. Rapid progression of serous conjunctivitis, eventually turning into purulent.
3. Copious discharge of purulent exudate from the nasal passages. Scabs of dried pus appear on the nostrils.
4. Severe swelling of the nasal mucosa, eyes.
5. Increased salivation. Saliva is foamy and contains blood.

Third stage

At this stage of the progression of the plague, there are serious violations of the mucous membrane of the digestive tract. Cattle have persistent diarrhea or involuntary excretion of feces. In the masses there is blood, mucus, particles of dead intestines. The mucous membrane protrudes in the region of the anus. The act of defecation is accompanied by pain, to ease it, the animal arches its back.

Such a disorder leads to rapid exhaustion and dehydration of the cattle. There is a sharp weight loss, breathing problems appear: a painful cough, emphysema. At the same time, the temperature remains normal or falls below normal. The lethal outcome occurs by 8-9 days after the first symptoms of the plague.

Plague Diagnosis

The clinical manifestation of plague in cattle is similar to the signs of other infectious pathologies. Diagnosis cannot be made on the basis of symptoms and condition alone. For an accurate result, laboratory diagnostics are carried out. In living individuals, this is a blood test. The procedure can take place in 3 ways - the detection of specific antibodies, changes in the structure of cells, enzyme immunoassay. For dead animals, a post-mortem examination is carried out. In laboratory conditions, particles of the spleen and liver, lymph nodes are studied. Tissues are taken from dead individuals no later than 5-6 hours after death. The presence of the plague agent is indicated by changes in the internal organs of cattle:

1. Thickening of the small intestine.
2. Ulcers, hemorrhages in the intestines.
3. Enlarged and inflamed lymph nodes.
4. Cheese sediment on all mucous membranes.

Methods of treating pathology

Any treatment for distemper in cattle is prohibited by law. All infected animals are killed in a bloodless way. Then carry out the complete burning of the carcasses. Premises, tools are subject to thorough double disinfection.

When plague is detected in cattle, a farm is closed for quarantine, and the settlement is transferred to a quarantine regime. It includes a ban on the export / import of animals, dairy and meat products, skins, feed. The movement of people outside the village / city is limited. Other actions are underway:

1. Complete elimination of grazing.
2. Cattle-breeding premises are subjected to daily cleaning. After it, treatment with caustic soda is carried out.
3. All cattle in the village are vaccinated.

If quarantine restrictions do not bring results, the administration of the settlement decides to slaughter the entire livestock.The places of detention are then cleaned and disinfected. With positive dynamics, quarantine is extended for another 21 days. After that, several heads of young animals are launched into the barn, they are observed for 3 months. If no signs of plague are found, the launch and breeding of new individuals is allowed.

Prevention methods

A specific measure for the prevention of plague is the periodic vaccination of cattle. Preparations from a deactivated or live culture of the pathogen are used. It is given as a subcutaneous injection. Acquired immunity lasts 3 years.

Other preventive measures include typical anti-epizootic actions. This is regular cleaning in places of detention and periodic disinfection of chemical. reagents. Stalls and sheds should be well ventilated.

Under the ban close content: one cow needs at least 7-8 square meters. m. The diet of cattle should be balanced and rich in vitamins.

Rinderpest is considered a completely eradicated disease in Europe, America, Australia. But, given the real damage and danger of this pathology, it cannot be discounted. Every farmer must know the typical clinical picture of the plague in order to recognize the disease in time. Preventive measures should not be weakened either, as this is a reliable protection against such infectious pathologies.

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