Pseudorabies or Aujesky's disease is a viral infection primarily of swine. Pseudorabies virus (PRV), which is a herpes virus, is easily spread between farms and can cause a variety of clinical signs in swine.  Depending upon the level of viral exposure (nose to nose contact), cattle, horses, dogs, cats, sheep or goats can also become infected.

Transmission of infection is by ingestion or inhalation of the virus particles. The virus is shed via oral discharges and results in pig-to-pig spread. Once infected, swine may develop clinical infection and shed virus. Even if no clinical infection develops, pigs can still have latent infections. Any stress could cause the latent infection to go clinical.  Water, feed, buckets, clothing, boots, and vehicles can become contaminated and serve as a source of viral spread.

In general, clinical signs in pigs include abortion, stillbirth, and death associated with severe respiratory and nervous system disease. In animals other than swine, infections are often associated with severe itching and self-mutilation.

In baby piglets (pre-weaning), infection is often characterized by sudden death, high fevers and loss of appetite, weakness, incoordination and convulsions. In weaning and growing pigs, frequent signs of infection are high fevers, incoordination, shaking, sneezing, rubbing of the muzzle, excessive salivation or lacrimation. In adult pigs clinical signs are often associated with fever and respiratory disease.  Sows infected early in gestation (0-30 days) may reabsorb their fetuses, while sows infected later in gestation (40-90 days) abort and greater than 90 days give birth to weak, stillborn, or shaker pigs.

A positive diagnosis of PRV can be based on serology, clinical signs, and tests to detect the virus. Serum samples are analyzed for antibody levels.  Positive antibody levels are an indication of exposure to the virus.  Vaccines are available which can differentiate titers with wild type virus versus immunized animals.

Vaccines, biosecurity, quarantine, depopulation of infected animals, and disinfection of infected premises have proven very successful in the control and eradication of PRV. 

The key to preventing this disease is biosecurity. As producers, it is important to have security measures in place to prevent the introduction of disease onto your farm.

Useful Links:

USDA, APHIS, Veterinary Services - Pseudorabies

USDA, APHIS, National Wildlife Research Center - Development of Surveillance Strategies and Management Tools to Control Pseudorabies and Other Wildlife Diseases that Affect Humans and Livestock