Pseudorabies

Question 1

Causative agent

Answer 1

Porcine herpesvirus 1

Question 2

All farm animals are susceptible except

Answer 2

Horses

Question 3

Vaccination?

Answer 3

Regulated/restricted by some states, but can help during an outbreak and to prevent the disease

Question 4

Virus affects which two organ/body systems

Answer 4

Brain and respiratory

Question 6

Clinical signs in adults? Mortality rate?

Answer 6

Infection is often unapparent, but stillbirth and abortion are the main CS. Occasionally can see neuro or respiratory signs.
Mortality <15%

Question 7

Transmission and primary method of spread?

Answer 7

Inhalation

Question 8

Why is this a concern for public health?

Answer 8

Reportable disease

Question 8

Most common clinical sign in an adult female pig

Answer 8

Late term abortion
Abortion storms
Stillbirths

Question 9

Common clinical sign in young pigs? Piglets?

Answer 9

Encephalitis

Piglets - “shaker pig” with high mortality

Question 10

Zoonotic?

Answer 10

Extremely rare, mild cases.

Question 11

How long can the virus survive in the environment?

Answer 11

2-7 weeks

Question 13

Treatment?

Answer 13

No treatment

Question 14

Common names

Answer 14

Aujesky’s disease

Mad itch

Question 15

Clinical signs in neonates? Mortality rate?

Answer 15

Fever, convulsions, prostration with rapid death with hours

Mortality rate 100%

Question 16

Clinical signs in weanlings and growers? Mortality rate?

Answer 16

Pneumonia, pyrexia, tremors

Mortality rate - 15-50%

Question 16

Prevention?

Answer 16

If diagnosed on a farm, quarantine should be instituted
Don’t be a fomite
Keep other animals away from pigs
Minimize movement of people, animals, objects into pig areas
Add stock from pseudorabies-free herds and test/quarantine
Don’t bring untested animals into a farrowing area

Question 17

This herpesvirus is resistant against what?

Answer 17

Extreme heat

pH

Question 17

Diagnosis?

Answer 17

Histology - cowdry type A inclusion bodies (indicates herpes infection). Will find these lesions in resp tract and brain

Serology - ELISA vaccinated animals may test positive.

Question 18

Clinical signs of pseudorabies in other species

Answer 18

Severe local pruritus that progresses to self mutilation is the main clinical sign. Neuro signs progress to convulsions, paralysis, resp distress, and sudden death.

Question 20

Natural host and primary reservoir?

Answer 20

Pigs