Swine Vesicular Diseases Diagnosed in Portugal

July 3, 2007 — 

Ministry of Agriculture officials in Lisbon, Portugal have notified the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) of an outbreak of swine vesicular disease (SVD) in a swine herd in Beja, southern Portugal.

The herd of 1812 animals is being depopulated as part of the EU control measures which prescribe stamping out as an approved method of disease eradication. Lesions in the coronary bands were observed during the stamping out procedures. This is the first reported occurrence of SVD in Portugal since January, 2004.

The disease was diagnosed by the National Laboratory using ELISA and PCR on June 15th. The diagnosis was confirmed at the OIE Reference Laboratory at Pirbright utilizing virus isolation and PCR on June 26th.

The source of the infection is uncertain and remains under investigation. Control measures including stamping out, movement controls, zoning, dipping and surveillance testing have been implemented. Vaccination and treatment are prohibited.

[Ed. Note: SVD is a contagious viral disease of swine indistinguishable clinically from Foot and Mouth Disease. SVD is caused by an enterovirus and is related to the human virus coxsackievirus B5. Clinical disease in swine is characterized by vesicle formation in the mouth, teats and along the coronary band. Strains of SVD virus vary in virulence.]

Source:
OIE, June 28, 2007