PSEUDO-RABIES!!!

A large number of swine-producing 
countries have eradicated the presence of pseudorabies, also known as Aujeszky’s Disease. Aujeszky’s Disease can be found throughout the world, especially in regions with dense swine populations including South America, Asia and Europe. Countries such as Germany, Austria, Sweden, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and the United States have eradicated the disease from their domestic swine populations in the late nineties. China on the other hand has experienced an unprecedented outbreak since 2011. Vaccination proves to be an important tool to control PRV. Pseudo rabies virus (PRV), the causing agent of Aujeszky’s Disease, is an extremely contagious herpes virus that causes respiratory disease and reproductive problems, including abortions and stillbirths in breeding swine. In piglets, PRV can cause coughing, sneezing, fever, constipation, depression, seizures, ataxia, circling and excess salivation, with mortality in piglets less than one month of age being close to 100%. Occasional death losses in breeding and finishing pigs can also occur. The virus is transmitted through nasal and oral secretions, food, water, and the environment. It can also be carried on vehicle wheels, including tyres or buggy wheels, boots and clothing. The incubation period is commonly two to five days, with nasal and oral excretion and, in adult swine, vaginal, preputial, and/or milk secretion coincident or just preceding any primary symptoms. Additionally, adult Aujeszky positive swine may harbour the virus without showing clear signs. The virus can live in humid air and non-chlorinated water for up to seven hours; and in the soil, on clothing, and faeces for up to two days. Dogs, cats, and racoons can physically transmit the virus between farms, but usually the virus causes death in these animals. PR viruses comprise a single serogroup. However, both vaccine and wild-type viruses can be differentiated into groups by using combinations of physical and biological markers. Vaccination with modified live marker vaccines is a useful tool in controlling the disease and PRV has been eradicated in many countries by the use of modified live vaccines.

EQUINE VIRAL RHINOPNEUMONITIS.

The equine viral rhinopneumonitis caused by a herpes virus is also referred to as rhino in horses,this is similar to common cold in humans. Respiratory disease in horses is one of the reasons for poor performance in race horses.The herpes infection though not usually fatal can be a prolonged infection.The virus causes abortion,foal death,neurological diseases and respiratory tract problems. Rhinopneumonitis is spread by aerosol,direct contact with secretions,utensils,drinking water contaminated by nasal secretions.The complication is usually by secondary bacterial infection which might result in death. SIGNS 1) Fever, 2)clear nasal discharge 3) coughing 4) abortions. PREVENTION. 1) Vaccination. Mares should be vaccinated at 5,7 and 9 month of gestation. 2)Isolation of affected horses. 3) strict bio security protocol. 4) antibiotic treatment for secondary bacteria infection.