Diagnoses of PMWS as a percentage of diagnostic submissions was 10%, the lowest for any quarter since 2001. Though down on the same quarter for the previous three years this was only significant statistically when compared to 2002 (28%).

Seven to 9-week-old pigs were examined following a history of respiratory disease, pallor, illthrift and death. The herd had been depopulated in March due to PDNS and, after cleansing and disinfection, was restocked in June. Three of four pigs examined had lesions consistent with PMWS.

There are still some herds having PMWS diagnosed for the first time. One such herd was a breeder-finisher indoor unit of 150 sows. Weaned pigs were examined following an upsurge in scour, coughing and wasting from 8-weeks of age affecting 8 to 10% with mortality at 3%.

On another unit, first diagnosed with PMWS in April 2003, management changes appeared to have reduced the impact of disease. However, a rise in weaner mortality from 5% to 20% was confirmed as due to PMWS. Typically a range of pathogens was isolated, including Pasteurella multocida, salmonellas, Streptococcus suis serotype 8, and Haemophilus parasuis.

Diagnosis of PDNS as a percentage of relevant diagnostic submissions was 6%; the highest (but not statistically so) for this quarter since comparable recording commenced in 1999 – see chart where vertical bars indicate 95% confidence limits. However, higher rates of around 12% were recorded in the last quarter of 1999 and the first quarter of 2000 respectively.

PDNS resulted in 4% mortality in 14- week-old pigs showing signs that included malaise, ataxia, recumbency and acute death. Other reports were of sporadic PDNS cases within herds rather than as an outbreak.