Scientists have eradicated a killer virus in the wild, only the second time such a feat has been achieved in human history.
Researchers at the UN said today that rinderpest, a virus that causes devastating cattle plague, has been wiped out, the first time such an announcement has been made since the end of smallpox more than 30 years ago. [guardian.co.uk]Rinderpest was a disease that was global in spread and could kill 80% of infected cattle and buffaloes in short order leading to massive economic upheaval and starvation.
The eradication effort was started only in 1994 by the UN, and now 16 relatively short years later, its gone. What other viruses can this be done with? What an exciting thought.
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