April 23, 2007

Winconsin steps up measures against pseudorabies

The Wisconsin Pork Association (WPA) advised pork producers to use biosecurity practices to curb the potential spread of pseudorabies which has been recently confirmed in a 300-animal swine herd in Clark Country.

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) is a swine disease that can also affect cattle, horses, dogs, cats, sheep and goats.

WPA President Jonathan Wyttenbach said PRV is not contagious to human even to people working on farms with PRV-infected animals or through consumption of meat from infected animals.

Wyttenbach said screening tests for PRV are already randomly conducted in slaughter facilities and the local government is reinforcing the importance of mandatory premises registration law in the state.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has 15 days from confirmation to depopulate the infected herd and test all swine herds within five miles of the infected herd in order to retain Wisconsin's pseudorabies-free status.

All pork producers are also advised to practice sound biosecurity measures when travelling off the farm, transporting animals to market, and restricting outside visitors to their operations.