ABSTRACT
This chapter offers the most important global animal virus infections that are caused either by individual viruses or by groups of related viruses. The success of viruses in evolution has been assured by four general attributes: genetic variation; various methods of transmission; efficient replication within host cells; and the ability to persist in the host. Animal viruses commonly persist within the host. The Foot-and-Mouth-Disease Virus is a highly contagious organism which readily infects cattle, sheep, and pigs, occasionally other animals, including humans; but not horses. The African Swine Fever virus is considered the most serious disease of domestic pigs, although it is believed to have existed for a long time in wild pigs in Africa. Vaccination programs are in place in many countries, and the belief is that the virus will eventually be brought under control. One possible method of controlling the spread of virus in wild animals is to "seed" baits reinforced by vaccine virus.
