Rinderpest, which is caused by a virus closely related to measles virus, is a disease of cattle known since Roman times.Barrett, p. 15 The disease, which originated in Asia, was first brought to Europe by the invading Huns in 370. Later invasions of Mongols, led by Genghis Khan and his army, started pandemics in Europe in 1222, 1233 and 1238. The infection subsequently reached England following the importation of cattle from the continent.Barrett, p. 87 At the time rinderpest was a devastating disease with a mortality rate of 80–90%. The resulting loss of cattle caused famine.
