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Recently, the number of calls and emails about growing pigs showing a wide range of neurologic signs of disease possibly related to three somewhat lesser-known viruses have increased. Veterinarians report growing pigs presenting symptoms that range from mild muscle tremors with mental alertness to lethargy and ataxia, with the most extreme cases progressing to paralysis and death. Reports of morbidity have been as low as 5 percent to as high as 20 percent. Case fatality rate has ranged from 30 percent to 100 percent. Among the possible infectious causes are porcine teschovirus (PTV), porcine sapelovirus (PSV) and atypical porcine pestivirus (APPV). Although these viruses are not new to the United States, historically confirmed cases have been reported infrequently.
There are significant knowledge gaps about the pathogenicity and epidemiology of these three viruses. The data from the veterinary diagnostic labs are yet to be analyzed to determine if the recent communications are part of an increasing trend or part of the more historic, sporadic outbreaks. Although individual cases may seem to be isolated, sporadic incidents, they could be indicative of a more important emerging disease trend. This is why it’s important that everyone who experiences an outbreak communicates it so the information can be aggregated to create a comprehensive assessment of the disease in question.
Wednesday June 29, 2016/ SHIC/ United States.
http://www.swinehealth.org
