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Aujeszky's disease confirmed in France

25th Apr 2019 / By Alistair Driver

Aujeszky’s disease has been confirmed in pigs in southern France, with wild boar believed to be the source of the outbreak.  

Aujeszkys mapTwo outbreaks of the disease, which was eradicated in the UK 30 years ago, were confirmed in domestic pigs in Saint Martin les Eaux and Monteux last week. The virus was identified in five animals, with more than 800 pigs considered to be 'susceptible' on the two units. 

"The source of infection of the first outbreak seems to be contact with wild boars. The second farm is epidemiologically linked to the first outbreak (purchase of fattening pork)," the OIE's update on the outbreaks said. 

Various control measures have been applied, including national movement controls, surveillance within the containment and/or protection zone and tracing of animals that could be affected. Zoning and the slaughter of potentially infected animals are 'to be applied'.

About Aujeszky's

Aujeszky's disease, also known as pseudorabies, can cause 100% mortality in piglets less than 7 days old, although mortality rates decrease as pigs get older. 

Pigs are the only natural host for the Aujeszky's virus, although it can infect cattle, sheep, cats, dogs and rats causing fatal disease, according to a Defra factsheet. 

It had not existed widely outside Eastern Europe before the 1960s but by 1989 it affected 43 countries.

The first case in GB was recorded in 1979 and the last in 1989 when five outbreaks resulted in 1,373 animals being slaughtered. GB was declared officially free of the disease in 1991
following extensive serum surveys.