A serological survey of rinderpest antibody in wildlife and sheep and goats in northern Tanzania.

An extensive serological survey for rinderpest antibody in wildlife, principally buffalo (Syncerus caffer), and sheep and goats has been undertaken in the previously endemic region of Northern Tanzania to determine whether or not the virus has continued to cycle in susceptible species since the last occurrence of overt disease in 1982. The results show that infection but not disease has occurred at least until 1987 in buffalo in parts of the Serengeti National Park but not in the other game areas of Tanzania where samples were taken. Sero-positive sheep and goats were widely distributed and have been found in 10 of the 14 districts sampled but there have been no reports of disease. These findings bring into question the possibility of eradicating the disease from Africa and continuous annual monitoring of this and other similar ecological zones will be required.