FOOT-AND-MOUTH IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

One month after the first cases had been recognized on 19 February 2001, the United Kingdom's first large-scale outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) since 1967 had spread across the whole country. This disastrous outbreak has followed a period of several years in which the highly contagious livestock disease has been on the increase worldwide. Several countries that had been free of the disease for considerable periods of time suffered outbreaks in 2000.

INSIDE

RINDERPEST
Rinderpest eradication in the Sudan - the way ahead
Wildlife serosurveillance for rinderpest

FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE
Recent developments
FAO/OIE international conference

VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES

RIFT VALLEY FEVER
Rift Valley fever threatens livelihoods in the Horn of Africa

AFRICAN SWINE FEVER
African swine fever in the Gambia
African swine fever in Ghana

NEWS
Manuals
Introduction of new staff

RINDERPEST ERADICATION IN THE SUDAN - THE WAY AHEAD

Rinderpest control in the Sudan has reached a point where eradication can be envisaged as feasible in the near future. The Sudan should now consolidate and build on the progressive control of rinderpest achieved so far by embarking on the final eradication thrust. Eradication is not that much more demanding than control but it does require a different mindset. Given commitment to the objective by all concerned, it is likely that the goal of eradication could be achieved rapidly - well within two years.

VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES CAUSE CONCERN IN THE MEDITERRANEAN BASIN

Recent outbreaks of disease caused by bluetongue virus and West Nile virus have given rise to concern that their threat might be increasing in the Mediterranean Basin.