Important Viral Diseases of Pigs: Symptoms and Control

1. Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)

• Symptoms:
• Formation of blisters (vesicles) and erosions on the mouth (tongue, lips, gums, palate, pharynx) and feet
• Sudden rise in body temperature (increase of about 5–6°C)
• Vesicles rupture, leaving raw, bleeding, and exposed surfaces without epithelium
• Prevention and Control:
• No specific treatment available
• Vaccination is recommended
• Infected animals should be culled and properly disposed (burning or burial along with bedding material) to prevent spread

2. Swine Influenza

• Symptoms:
• Sudden onset of disease
• Coughing and difficulty in breathing
• Fever and general weakness (prostration)
• Animals may recover quickly, but show reduced growth rate and feed intake
• Prevention and Control:
• No specific treatment
• Provide good housing, proper care, and nursing
• No effective vaccine available

3. Hog Cholera (Classical Swine Fever)

• Symptoms:
• Initial signs include dullness and drowsiness
• By around the sixth day, temperature may rise up to 42.2°C
• Loss of appetite, depression, and skin discoloration (reddish patches)
• Diarrhea, lack of coordination (ataxia), convulsions, and eventual death
• Prevention and Control:
• No effective treatment
• Vaccination is essential, usually at 3 weeks of age and again at 3 months

4. Transmissible Gastroenteritis (TGE)

• Symptoms:
• Vomiting followed by watery, often yellow diarrhea
• Rapid weight loss
• Very high mortality in piglets, especially those below 2 weeks of age
• Prevention and Control:
• Treatment is mainly supportive
• Focus on correcting:
• Starvation
• Dehydration
• Acidosis

5. Swine Pox

• Symptoms:
• Skin lesions appearing all over the body
• Lesions progress from papules → pustules → crust formation
• After healing, small white discoloured scars remain
• Prevention and Control:
• Maintain proper sanitation and hygiene
• Newly introduced animals should be checked for skin lesions

6. Aujeszky’s Disease (Pseudorabies)

• Symptoms:
• Sneezing and coughing
• Mild fever
• Excessive salivation
• Sudden muscle spasms
• Death usually occurs within 4–9 days
• Prevention and Control:
• Vaccination is recommended

7. African Swine Fever (ASF)

• Symptoms:
• Initial dullness and depression
• High fever reaching around 42.2°C
• Loss of appetite, skin redness (blotchy appearance)
• Diarrhea, lack of coordination, convulsions
• Ultimately leads to death
• Prevention and Control:
• Strict quarantine of affected animals
• Restrict movement of pigs and materials
• Thorough disinfection of sheds, vehicles, and equipment
• (As per your content) vaccination mentioned, but main control relies on biosecurity measures