Rinderpest in game : a description of an outbreak and an attempt at limiting its spread by means of a bush fence

Abstract

1. The history of rinderpest and of measures taken to check its spread in Central East Africa is briefly reviewed. 2. A description is given of a disease, believed to be rinderpest, affecting buffalo, eland and kudu in the Lake Rukwa trough. 3. Attention is drawn to some of the habits of game and the close association often existing between cattle and game in the dry season. 4. Subinoculations from affected buffalo and eland into susceptible young cattle and goats show that these animals suffered from rinderpest. 5. While defensive measures for cattle, namely immunization and control of movement are eminently successful, game still remains the greatest source of danger for spreading and for maintaining rinderpest. Segregation of game on a large scale, possibly with selective destruction in certain restricted areas, is the only weapon we possess at present to counter this danger. The type of bush fencing described is an attempt at evolving a practical, effective and relatively cheap means of achieving this. 6. The need for further research into the diseases of game animals and the necessity for revision of the prevalent attitude toward the game problem in Africa is emphasized.