UK Pig Disease Monthly Surveillance Report (to April 2005)
By Veterinary Laboratories Agency - This report monitors trends in the major endemic pig diseases and utilises the farmfile and VIDA (Veterinary Investigation Disease Analysis) databases. The report is compiled using disease data gathered by the network of 15 VLA regional laboratories which carry out disease investigation in the field.
![]() April 2005 - Published June 2005 Highlights Late onset mortality in growing pigs associated with PMWS and PRRSV Colibacillosis |
Enteric diseases: Colibacillosis
Ill thrift and diarrhoea affecting five to six-week-old piglets with the death of 15
of 450 was the clinical history of a case investigated by Bury. Pigs were
reared outdoors in tents with straw bedding. Only one of the four pigs
submitted was actually scouring, and from this Escherichia coli G4/66
(serotype 045:K’E65’ K88ac) was isolated in profuse and predominant growth,
consistent with enteric colibacillosis.
In the three pigs, which were not
scouring, there was cranioventral consolidation of all lung lobes and
emphysema in dorsal diaphragmatic lobes. Haemophilus parasuis was
isolated from one of these and Klebsiella pneumoniae from another. There
was no evidence of PMWS.
In another investigation enteric colibacillosis was
the cause of wasting and scour in all of 32 five to six-week-old housed
weaners with two deaths on a small 60-sow indoor breeder finisher unit. One
dead pig was submitted in poor body condition showing mild diphtheresis of
the colonic mucosa, and E.coli Abbotstown (serotype O149: K91, K88ac) was
isolated.
Respiratory Diseases: PRRS
Bury investigated a case where porcine reproductive and respiratory
syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection together with Pasteurella multocida was
strongly suspected to be the main cause of mortality in finisher pigs on an
indoor all-in all-out specialist unit. Pigs came from a reportedly PRRSV-free
breeding herd, however the unit previously housed a batch of multisourced
pigs.
The turnaround time between batches was two weeks and there was no
cleaning and disinfection, in addition the staff attend another multisource
finishing unit. Severe chronic bronchointerstitial pneumonias were identified
in six pigs. Although mortality did not escalate until pigs were 16 to 18-weeks
old, there was a trickle of mortality from 11 to 13- weeks old and the number
of pigs subsequently injected with antibiotics increased. This and laboratory
findings indicated that disease began several weeks before the main mortality
was reported.
PMWS
PMWS was the underlying problem in three disease outbreaks investigated by
Langford. In the first there was an increasing problem of ill thrift and death
affecting young growing pigs at approximately ten-weeks old. Salmonella
typhimurium PT 193 and Pasteurella multocida were isolated from enteric and
respiratory lesions.
In another incident, cases of wasting and death were
starting to increase on an organic breeder-finishing unit. PMWS had been
diagnosed on this unit at least two-years previously. However following
management changes together with PRRS and EP vaccination total mortality
levels from birth to finishing had been kept below 8%.
P. Multocida and Strep.
Suis. suis type 3 were associated with respiratory lesions and porcine
proliferative enteropathy and enteric sprochaetosis were associated with
alimentary lesions. The final case involved “fading“ in pigs at 8 to 14 weeks.
In two animals examined, one had chronic pneumonia and the other
spirochaetal diarrhoea due to Brachyspira intermedia, as well as underlying
PMWS.
Greasy Pig Disease
Approximately half the piglets in each of three gilt litters in a 500-sow indoor
herd showed skin lesions that prompted the submission of two live two-weekold
affected piglets. Circular brown dry scabs and coalescing multifocal
brown exudative scabs were visible on the ventral abdomen, face, ears and
distal parts of limbs. There were also erosions on the anterior aspects of
carpal and fetlock joints suggestive of floor trauma. Staphylococcus hyicus
was isolated from the skin and superficial lymph nodes confirming greasy pig
disease. Mange mites, poxvirus and PRRS virus were not identified as
predisposing factors.
To read the full report please click here (PDF)
Source: Veterinary Laboratories Agency - June 2005