Swine Vesicular Disease
Introduction
Swine vesicular disease virus (SVDV) is a highly contagious disease of pigs and is part of the enterovirus genus in the family Picornaviridae. Although symptoms of the disease are often mild in nature, it is an Office International de Epizooties (OIE) list A disease as it is clinically indistinguishable from Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). For this reason, outbreaks of SVDV are assumed to be FMD until laboratory diagnosis proves otherwise.
SVDV is typically characterized by the presence of vesicles on the coronary bands, heels of the feet and occasionally on the lips, tongue, snout and teats of infected animals. The virus may be spread into the environment through excretions from the nose and mouth and may be also found in the faeces.
Human health risk
There are no known risks to human health for this disease.
Economic impact
An outbreak of SVDV can have a significant economic impact on the meat production industry as a result of the need to cull infected herds to eliminate the disease. Temporary trade restrictions on meat exports are likely to be imposed.
Diagnostic solution
Prionics offers a highly specific ELISA that detects antibodies in the serum and plasma of pigs. The test, developed by the renowned Animal Science Group in Lelystad, reliably discriminates SVDV samples from samples infected with Foot and Mouth Disease. This test is the first ELISA for the detection of SVDV that is commercially available.
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