Definition & Meaning of "rinderpest"

What is "rinderpest"?

Rinderpest is a contagious viral disease that affects cattle and other animals with split hooves. It spreads rapidly among herds and is characterized by symptoms such as high fever, intense diarrhea, and dehydration. The virus is extremely deadly among infected animals. Rinderpest has had extremely bad effects on livestock populations throughout history, causing widespread hunger in affected regions. Fortunately, due to successful global efforts to completely eliminate the disease, Rinderpest was officially declared eliminated by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) in 2011.