Swine Biosecurity in Canada

Pseudorabies virus infection in Oklahoma hunting dogs

admin — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 22:10:11 +0000

Pseudorabies is caused by Suid herpesvirus 1, a member of the Alphaherpesvirinae subfamily. Although pigs are the natural host of Pseudorabies virus (PRV), the virus has a broad host range and may cause fatal encephalitis in many species. The United States obtained PRV-free status in 2004 after the virus was eradicated from domestic swineherds, but the virus is still present in feral swine populations. The current report describes PRV infection in 3 dogs that were used to hunt feral swine. The dogs developed clinical signs including facial pruritus with facial abrasions, dyspnea, vomiting, diarrhea, ataxia, muscle stiffness, and death. Two were euthanized, and 1 died within approximately 48 hr after onset of clinical signs. The salient histologic changes consisted of neutrophilic trigeminal ganglioneuritis with neuronophagia and equivocal intranuclear inclusion bodies. Pseudorabies virus was isolated from fresh tissues from 2 of the dogs, and immunohistochemistry detected the virus in the third dog. Virus sequencing and phylogeny, based upon available GenBank sequences, revealed that the virus was likely a field strain that was closely related to a cluster of PRV strains previously identified in Illinois. Though eradicated from domestic swine in the United States, PRV is present in populations of feral swine, and should therefore continue to be considered a possible cause of disease in dogs and other domestic animals with compatible clinical history and signs. Continued surveillance is necessary to prevent reintroduction of PRV into domestic swine.

Source

Cramer SD, Campbell GA, Njaa BL, Morgan SE, Smith SK 2nd, McLin WR 4th, Brodersen BW, Wise AG, Scherba G, Langohr IM, Maes RK. Sarah D. Cramer, Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Room 250 McElroy Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078. J Vet Diagn Invest. 2011 Sep;23(5):915-23.

// more information

Russia faces yet another outbreak of African Swine Fever

admin — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 22:04:50 +0000

At the end of last week in the Krasnodar region, Russia, it has been revealed that another outbreak of African Swine Fever was discovered.

According to the district administration of Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance the specialist of Veterinary Laboratory have confirmed the death of the animals due to the virus. The outbreak has been located at the private farms in a village in Leninsky district of the Krasnodar region of Abinsk near the border with the Crimean region. About 147 pigs were discovered on the farms. According to reports 34 of them contracted the disease and 4 died.

// more information

New Zealand – Preparing staff to recognise and respond to FMD

admin — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 20:40:17 +0000

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is launching a new tool to help staff at meat processing plants recognise and respond to an incursion of foot and mouth disease in stock, as part of its preparedness for risk organisms.

MAF’s Verification Programmes manager Di Carter says New Zealand has never had foot and mouth disease (FMD), and because of this excellent record, the country’s more than 24,000 meat processing premises employees have never seen symptoms in stock.

// more information