World Organisation for Animal Health
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For the first time in history, the world will be declared free from an animal disease: rinderpest. There is only one similar example so far and that is eradication of smallpox in humans.
1924 and 2011 represent two milestones, both related to the global fight against rinderpest: the creation of the OIE which followed a disastrous rinderpest incursion in Europe and consequent spread to other continents, and the joint official declaration by OIE and FAO of rinderpest eradication worldwide.
This success was possible thanks to collaborative work between international and regional organisations, public and private partnerships, governments and farmers. Above all this success was possible thanks to the veterinary services and the entire veterinary profession, since the scarcity of resources available to them in many infected countries constituted a major obstacle to the implementation of effective control strategies.
Thus, 2011 is a cause for celebration also because it coincides with the 250th anniversary of the official creation of the veterinary profession.