Smallpox is the first
viral infection to have been eradicated world-wide. This remarkable success is due to several factors including the availability of an efficacious
vaccine and the absence of a wildlife reservoir. The only animal virus disease sharing these characteristics is
rinderpest, for which there are several efficacious
vaccines. Other animal
viral infections do not share the same characteristics, either due to the lack of an efficacious
vaccine (
African swine fever), or to the existence of wildlife reservoirs such as the wild boar for
classical swine fever, the African buffalo for
foot-and-mouth disease, bats for lyssavirus
infections, etc. These diseases are more prone to regional elimination than a complete worldwide eradication. Two methods are used to eliminate an animal
viral infection, either vaccination or the strict application of hygienic measures including stamping out and incineration, or the combination of both methods. Public opinion is more and more concerned about stamping out, even when necessary such as when dealing with emerging
zoonoses. On the other hand, generalised vaccination (i.e. against
foot-and-mouth disease,
classical swine fever, etc.) may be discontinued despite its efficacy, for macro-economical reasons. The
solution may come from the use of
marker vaccines associated with companion diagnostic tests to make a distinction between infected and immunised animals by serological examination. Current control and eradication programmes against these and other diseases, the role of
marker vaccines, and the limitations of such programmes are being discussed.