Scientific background to the global eradication of rinderpest.

The global eradication of rinderpest was declared in 2011. This is the second infectious disease to have been eradicated from the world after smallpox, for which eradication was declared in 1980. From a scientific aspect, smallpox eradication was achieved by improvements in the Jenner vaccine, originally developed in the 18th century. Developments in vaccine technology and virological techniques during the 20th century have contributed to the eradication of rinderpest. The scientific background to rinderpest eradication is briefly reviewed vis-à-vis that of smallpox eradication.