Viral diseases are caused by viruses which invade and replicate inside cells within the animal’s body. Some of the viral diseases affecting ruminants can be very devastating and spread easily from animal to animal. Most viral diseases affecting ruminants are better controlled by vaccination rather than treatment.
1. Rinderpest
This is contagious viral disease of cattle, buffaloes, sheep and goats characterized by fever, oral erosions, serous to mucopurulent nasal and ocular discharge, diarrhea and high mortality.
It is caused by a Morbillivirus of the Paramyxoviridae family. This disease occurs as epidemics and is transmitted by close contact between infected and non-infected animals through inhalation or ingestion of contaminated feed, water, nasal discharges etc.
The virus is normally present in the blood, tissues, secretions and excretions of an infected animal. Treatment of this disease is not recommended. This disease can also be confused with Foot and Mouth Disease and Bovine Viral Diarrhoea.
Prevention and control of this disease is by quarantine, slaughter of infected animals and proper disposal of carcasses followed disinfection.
2. Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)
Foot and Mouth Disease is severe highly contagious viral disease of cattle, sheep, goats, buffaloes and pigs caused by a virus with seven serotypes.
The symptoms or signs include fever, formation of vesicles on the teat, tongue, lameness, weight loss, and excessive salivation.
This disease is spread by contact between infected and non-infected animals, contact with materials from infected animals and by inhalation as infected animals carry large amounts of aerosol virus in their exhaled air.
There is no definitive treatment for FMD and infected animals are recommended for culling after recovery. This disease is controlled by vaccination.
However, the vaccines to be used must protect the animals against the serotypes causing disease in the specified area.
Read Also : Classification of Livestock Diseases and Methods of Transmission
3. Pestedes Petits Ruminants (PPR)
Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is a fast spreading severe viral disease of sheep and goats caused by a Morbillivirus of the Paramyxovirus family.
PPR is characterized by high fever, weakness, oral lesions, cough, foul-smelling diarrhea, discharge from the eyes, nose and difficult breathing.
PPR is transmitted by aerosol and all secretions and excretions from sick animals contain the virus.
This disease does not have a specific treatment but complications by bacteria and other parasites can be treated to reduce mortality. Prevention is achieved by the use of vaccination.
Other Viral Diseases
There are other viral diseases that affect ruminants. These include Lumpy Skin Disease, Sheep and Goat Pox and Keratoconjunctivitis.
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