Present Status of Rinderpest Diseases in Pakistan

Abstract

SummaryAll animal diseases have the potential to affect human lives adversely by reducing the quantity and/or quality of food (meat, milk, etc.), secondary livestock products (hides, skins and fibres) and animal power (traction and transport). The importance of the livestock sector is growing more rapidly than any other agricultural sector in Pakistan. In the past, livestock production in Pakistan has been affected because of transboundary animal diseases like rinderpest, foot and mouth disease and peste des petits ruminants disease, posing a serious threat to the livestock industry in Pakistan. The continuing persistence of rinderpest has been of grave concern for the entire region including Pakistan. The export of livestock products managed to retain its growth with relaxation of restrictions imposed by the Gulf states in the year 2001 only. Pakistan has been provisionally declared a rinderpest free country in 2003, as a result of a vigorous eradication programme.