POINT SEROPREVALENCE OF RINDERPEST ANTIBODY IN CATTLE IN BANGLADESH

A serological point prevalence survey for rinderpest (RP) antibody was carried out on 1337 cattle from 20 locations in Bangladesh between Ma rch 1987 and April 1988. The seroprevalence was 8.5% but varied from 0 to 36%, depending upon the area from which cattle were sampled. Addit ionally, there was a significantly (P < 0.01) higher number of seropos itive animals in cattle over 3 years of age than in cattle between 3 m onths and 3 years of age. The importance of the results in relation to national and regional rinderpest control programmes is discussed. If seronegativity indicates susceptibility, these results show that the i mmune status of the national herd is inadequate to prevent a major epi demic.