Dr. Rakesh Kumar Chaurasia
[dropcap]I[/dropcap]ntroduction: Swine fever is one of the most important virus diseases of pigs. It is found in most countries of the world and in India also. In Nagaland swine fever is often encountered and when pigs get infected it causes a huge loss to the farming community. It is highly infectious, viral septicaemia caused by Toga virus affecting only pigs.
Host: The pig is the only natural host. The virus is spread from infected or carrier pigs via discharges from the nose, mouth, urine and faeces or infected semen and it is highly contagious. The virus survives in frozen carcasses for long periods of time
Symptoms: The following symptoms are useful for diagnosis of this disease; however laboratory findings are essential to find out the exact cause of the disease.Piglets
• The piglets hurdled together.
• Piglets start vomiting, accompanied by Diarrhoea.
• Incoordination in the movements of body parts is also seen.
• Conjunctivitis, high fever, sudden death, piglet malformations are very common
• Piglets are very weak at birth showing trembling.
Sows
• When first introduced into the breeding herd it causes loss in appetite and high fevers.
• The virus can cross the placenta to invade the foetuses.
• Foetal death with mummification, embryo death, Dog sitting position, nervous signs, abortions and increases in stillbirths.
• Convulsions may occur with death within a few hours and sows may lose the use of their legs.
• The disease in the acute form will have dramatic effects on reproduction through abortions and embryo and foetal deaths.
Weaners & Growers
• Pigs dejected – hang their heads and are off feed.
• Pigs are chilled and huddled together.
• Diarrhoea, eye discharge – heavy, high persistent fever, nervous signs – incoordination and swaying on the legs.
• Blue discoloration of the skin and high mortality.
Prevention: Prevention is better than control which is most suitable for this disease and vaccination is must for all the age group of pigs so that they are not infected with this virus.
Swine fever Vaccines available in India
| Vaccine | Source | Dose | Route | Age of pigs | Immunity lasting period |
| Lapinised Swine fever Vaccine | Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar | 1 ml | Intramuscular | All categories | 1 year |
| Lapinised Swine fever Vaccine live | BP, section, Lucknow | 1 ml | Subcutaneous | All categories | 1 year |
| Lapinised Swine fever Vaccine | Haryana Veterinary Vaccine Institute | 1 ml | Subcutaneous | All categories | 1 year |
Control: Veterinarian should be immediately informed and proper handling of the animal should be done to prevent further infection. Control is by slaughter or as a last resort by vaccination. African swine fever (ASF) and Classical Swine fever are caused by very similar viruses which are only distinguishable by laboratory testing.
Diagnosis: It can be done by post- mortem examination .The post – mortem shows changes with haemorrhagic lymph nodes, dead patches in the spleen, multiple small haemorrhages in the kidneys and so-called “button ulcers” in the gut. In laboratory the identification of viral antigen, isolation of the virus and the presence of antibodies in serum can be studied.
Conclusion: Timely vaccination will help to prevent this disease and losses incurred due to mortality and morbidity of pigs.
The writer is the Programme Coordinator of Nagaland University, Lumami
