Updated April 21, 2010
Background
Dogs exposed to feral hogs are at risk for
pseudorabies. Dogs should not be fed raw feral hog
meat. Moving hogs around to new areas can help to spread the
disease.
The disease is not a threat to humans, but it is
always fatal in dogs.
Questions (with links to
answers)
1. What is
pseudorabies?
Pseudorabies is a highly contagious infectious
disease of swine caused by pseudorabies virus (PRV), a herpes
virus. It can cause reproductive problems, including abortion,
stillbirths, and even occasional death losses in breeding and
finishing hogs. PRV is present in both domestic and feral hogs.
2. What other names is it
commonly known by?
It is also known as mad itch or Aujeszky's
disease.
3. What animals are in
danger of contracting the disease?
Animals that could be infected are pigs, dogs,
cats, cattle, sheep, raccoons, opossums, rats, mice, horses, goats,
panthers, coyotes, bears and minks.
Return to Questions
4. Can people be infected with
pseudorabies?
There are no records of humans contracting this
disease, not even people working on farms with many PRV-infected
animals. Hunters and those handling raw feral hog meat, however,
are at risk for swine brucellosis. When handling hogs or raw meat,
wear impermeable gloves; do not eat, drink or use tobacco products;
avoid direct contact with blood, other fluids, feces and raw meat;
wash and disinfect any surfaces contacting meat and blood; and wash
hands frequently. More information is available in the Safety
section of MyFWC.com.
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5. What is the main host for the
disease?
Swine are the main host.
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6. How is it
transmitted?
It is transmitted through saliva, nasal discharge,
sexual encounters and from eating contaminated feed/carcasses. It
is not transmitted through urine or feces.
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7. How is the virus
spread?
PRV is spread primarily through direct
animal-to-animal (or nose-to-nose) contact between an infected and
shedding pig and an uninfected pig. If present on inanimate
objects, such as boots, clothing, feed, trucks and equipment, the
virus can also spread to domestic swine.
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8. Can horses get it?
Horses are resistant to the disease, and reports of
horses contracting pseudorabies are very rare.
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9. Are dogs susceptible to
contracting pseudorabies?
Yes, and it is always fatal when they do contract
pseudorabies. It is unlikely that dogs or other animals would be in
danger of contracting PRV unless there has been direct contact
through a bite wound or through consumption of raw feral hog
meat.
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10. Is there a vaccine to
protect against the disease?
The modified-live vaccine is labeled only for
domestic swine and is available only to veterinarians through the
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Consult a licensed veterinarian for further information regarding
vaccination and prevention for domestic swine.
There is currently no vaccine available for
dogs.
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11. Is there a cure for
pseudorabies?
No.
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12. How long has it been in the
United States?
The first recorded cases in the United States begin
at least 150 years ago.
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13. How many wild boars have
pseudorabies?
Past studies in South Florida estimate infection
rates in wild boars between 40 and 50 percent. A large proportion
of feral swine are carriers, but few are actually infectious at any
given time. Stress such as overcrowding, high water levels or poor
nutrition can increase the percentage of swine that are infectious
and thus lead to increased exposure.
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14. Do any domestic pigs
have pseudorabies?
There have been no reported cases in domestic pigs
in the United States since 2003.
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15. What are the symptoms
of pigs when they have the disease?
Young pigs may die, pregnant sows may abort, older
hogs may be healthy until they are stressed, then they may develop
runny noses and watery eyes.
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16. Do pigs recover from
pseudorabies?
Pigs infected are probably carriers of the virus
for life. However, they will likely show symptoms only when
they are chronically stressed.
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17. How long can the virus
live outside of the hog?
It can live up to four days, although the
likelihood of being exposed to enough of the virus through indirect
contact is low.
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18. Can you eat infected hogs
without harm?
Yes. However, it is recommended that any
animal showing outward signs of being sick (e.g. emaciation,
abscesses, runny eyes or nose, etc.) not be consumed as a general
precaution, especially considering the potential for other
diseases, including brucellosis. Many hogs will carry the
virus but be perfectly healthy.
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19. What are the
symptoms of dogs infected with pseudorabies?
Infected dogs will scratch themselves
uncontrollably. The disease progresses to symptoms that mimic
rabies, with frothing at the mouth, loss of muscular control and
erratic behavior. Death occurs usually within 48 hours.
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20. How long does it take symptoms
to show after exposure?
Symptoms can occur in dogs within days after
exposure.
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21. Can dogs give it to other
dogs?
There are no known cases where dogs have infected
other dogs. The principal risk of infection in dogs is exposure to
hogs that are actively shedding the virus.
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22. Will this virus die
out?
The virus will always be present in wild hogs;
impacts to dogs will lessen as each episode runs its course.
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23. How do I protect my dogs
from this?
There is currently no vaccine available for dogs.
Dog owners can minimize exposure to hogs by keeping dogs on a leash
and away from hogs.
Return to Questions
24. What should I do if I
have further information on the occurrence of this disease?
Report any information you have on this topic to
the FWC at 561-625-5122.
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