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Rinderpest and Peste des Petits Ruminants tells the story of how, by the year 2010, scientists are set to globally eradicate one of the great historic plagues that has ravaged human livestock for centuries. Descriptions of the disease in Europe date back to the 4th century and it was regularly re-introduced following wars and other civil unrest until late in the 19th century. It was introduced with devastating effect into Africa towards the end of the 19th century and is now widespread across sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and Southern Asia. Its causative agent, rinderpest virus, a morbillivirus very closely related to human measles virus, decimates the cattle population along with those of other susceptible domestic ruminants and many wildlife species wherever it is present. - The history of Rinderpest including the history of vaccines and vaccination - Details other Morbillaviruses - Epidemiology and transmission of Rinderpest

Marek's disease is a form of cancer of poultry caused by an important herpesvirus (MDV). It continues to be a threat to poultry health and welfare and worldwide losses are estimated to be US$ 1 billion annually. Marek's Disease provides a timely review of the problems of Marek's disease with descriptions of the complex viral life cycle, how MDV targets different types of white blood cells, and details of the virus structure, its genes and proteins. - The multiplicity of factors contributing to susceptibility is explored in detail - Vaccination - the problems arising from current vaccination strategies and how these can be improved and made sustainable in future - The lessons learned in the control of MD over the past 30 years, and how we can use MD as a model for other animal and human diseases is discussed