PMWS - a successful vaccine has not been able to stop the problem
- From: "Pat Gardiner" <patgardiner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2008 21:05:18 -0000
Pat's Note:
"Apparently, a successful vaccine has not been able to stop the problem, he
said."
Many a true word spoken in total confusion. The vaccines give peace of mind
"we are doing something."
They do not actually have to work to be sucessful. It is a point of view.
PMWS is, of course, circovirus
http://www.redbluffdailynews.com/news/ci_8118767
Virus cancels pig weigh-in at Tehama District Fair
By KAREN McINTYRE-DN Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 01/30/2008 08:20:42 AM PST
RED BLUFF - The Tehama District Fair, along with all other fairs in the
state, is canceling its swine pre-tagging and pre-fair weigh-ins this year
because of an increase of disease in the animals.
Porcine circovirus, a viral disease in pigs, has become a major problem,
according to information released by the California Department of Food and
Agriculture.
The increase in cases is the reason CDFA animal health officials and the
Division of Fairs and Expositions is requiring all fairs cancel swine
weigh-ins. However, regular breeding and market shows and livestock auctions
may continue, CDFA Fairs Management Consultant Tomme Jo Dale said in a news
release.
Pigs that have mingled with other swine at fairs should not return home
because the risk of disease transmission is greatly increased. Pigs return
home after weigh-ins, but not after fairs, which is why the fair can go on,
but the weigh-ins cannot.
Canceling weigh-ins affects the Tehama District Fair because tagging and
weighing the hogs ahead of time helps to establish ownership, Tehama
District Fairground CEO Mark Eidman said.
The pigs are required to be owned for at least 60 days before the fair. In
the past, some people did not own the pigs long enough, and there is no way
to tell without weigh-ins. But the problem has subsided in recent years, and
Eidman said he encourages honesty.
Weigh-ins were canceled for last year's fair for the same reason, Eidman
said. Apparently, a successful vaccine has not been able to stop the
problem, he said.
Conditions that trigger the disease are not understood, the CDFA said, but
the disease comes from porcine circovirus type 2. Most swine are infected
with PCV2, but only some are affected with clinical signs of the disease.
Symptoms include poor growth and weight loss, resulting in severe thinning
and weakness in pigs aged 5 to 14 weeks.
Affected swine can also show enlarged lymph nodes, skin rashes, difficulty
breathing, jaundice, fever, stomach ulcers, diarrhea or sudden death.
The disease can be transferred through bodily secretions such as blood,
urine, feces or mucus. Exposing pigs to other pigs, boots, clothes or
equipment that has been around other pigs increases the risk.
Most pigs will give a positive blood test, but not all will show signs.
Symptomatic pigs should be removed from other hogs. Other livestock species
and humans have not been infected.
CDFA information said the three commercial vaccines in the country are being
manufactured on a large scale, but supplies are limited. Piglets should be
given the vaccination at 3 and 5 weeks old. A vaccine for sows is not
approved in the U.S., and the vaccine is not as effective on older pigs.
Antibiotics will no directly help with the disease, but may eliminate other
bacterial challenges.
Breeders can still buy pigs at sales this spring and attend county fairs,
but the CDFA recommends that livestock owners be aware of the disease and
talk with breeders about the health of their herd before buying swine.
"This isn't that critical," Eidman said. "We've had worse issues."
--
Regards
Pat Gardiner
www.go-self-sufficient.com
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