The control of rinderpest in Tanganyika, 1938-1952
During the early 1890s, cattle imported from India brought the dangerous cattle disease rinderpest to East Africa. Rinderpest (a viral disease, closely related to human measles) probably killed over 85% of cattle in East Africa and spread over much of sub-Saharan Africa during the following decade. Affecting many species of game animals, it was an important factor in the East African ecological crisis of the early colonial period and the spread of trypanosomosis (sleeping sickness).
Dr Gilfoyle's research concerns a pivotal 15 year period in the history of disease control in Africa. Rinderpest was eradicated from southern Africa by 1910, but became endemic in parts of Kenya. During the 1930s, it again spread southwards through Tanganyika and appeared to pose a serious threat to the southern colonies. In South Africa, which had well-developed veterinary services, officials became increasingly concerned. During 1938, the South African government despatched a number of its veterinary scientists to take part in rinderpest vaccination campaigns in Tanganyika. They played a key role in laboratory experiments and field control, seeking to influence Kenyan officials who were less enthusiastic about the merits of eradication. Facing the threat of war and concerned about food security, the imperial government became active in urging control measures. These initiatives led to the foundation of the Pan-African Bureau of Epizootic Disease at Nairobi in 1952, and the subsequent initiation of continental eradication.
Dr Gilfoyle's article based on this research examines the international networks of veterinary science within the context of rinderpest control. It explores dynamics of disease control and the idea of sub-imperialism in the relations between the South Africans and their counterparts in the East African colonies. It also elucidates improvements in rinderpest vaccines which were achieved at this time. The ways in which the changing technology influenced historical arguments about the respective merits of eradication and endemic stability are traced.
Find out more about some of the documents concerning rinderpest used in this article, which are held at The National Archives.
For Dr Gilfoyle's previous research, see his 'Veterinary immunology as colonial science: method and quantification in the investigation of horsesickness in South Africa, c.1905-1945', Journal of History of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Vol.61, (2006), 25-66', and 'Anthrax in South Africa: economics, experiment and the mass vaccination of animals, c1910-1945', Medical History, Vol.50 (2006), 465-90',
