The Rinderpest Virus is a highly contagious virus that primarily affects cattle and other cloven-hoofed animals. It belongs to the genus Morbillivirus and causes a disease known as rinderpest, which can lead to severe gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms. The virus spreads through direct contact between animals and can also be transmitted via contaminated feed and water. Rinderpest was responsible for significant livestock losses and economic hardship in many regions. However, thanks to global vaccination efforts, the disease was declared eradicated in 2011, making it one of the few viral diseases to be completely eliminated from the planet, similar to smallpox.