Aujeszky’s Disease Pseudorabies What is Aujeszky’s disease How does Aujeszky’s Can I get Aujeszky’s and what causes it? disease affect my animal? disease? Aujeszky’s disease, or pseudorabies, Disease may vary depending No. Signs of disease have not be is a contagious viral disease that on the age and species of animal reported in humans. primarily affects pigs. The virus causes affected; younger animals are the reproductive and severe neurological most severely affected. Piglets Who should I contact disease in affected animals; death is usually have a fever, stop eating, and if I suspect Aujeszky’s common. The disease occurs in parts show neurological signs (seizures, disease? of Europe, Southeast Asia, Central and paralysis), and often die within 24-36 Contact your veterinarian South America, and Mexico. It was hours. Older pigs may show similar immediately. Aujeszky’s disease is not once prevalent in the United States, symptoms, but often have respiratory currently found in domestic animals in but has been eradicated in commercial signs (coughing, sneezing, difficulty the United States; suspicion of disease operations; the virus is still found in breathing) and vomiting, are less likely requires immediate attention. feral (wild) swine populations. to die and generally recover in 5-10 days. Pregnant sows can abort or How can I protect my animal What animals get give birth to weak, trembling piglets. from Aujeszky’s disease? Aujeszky’s disease? Feral pigs do not usually show any Aujeszky’s disease is usually Pigs are the most frequently signs of disease. introduced into a herd from an affected animals, however nearly all Other animals usually die within a infected animal. All new animals mammals, including cattle, sheep, few days of exposure. The animal will entering the herd should be tested goats, cats, and dogs can become have intense itchiness concentrated and isolated prior to introduction into infected with the virus. Pigs are in a patch of skin and will lick, rub the herd. Disinfection measures can capable of carrying the virus without or chew at the ‘itchy spot’. Animals be useful for controlling the spread showing signs of disease. become weak, may be unable to of the disease and should be used on stand, have convulsions and difficulty equipment, vehicles and footwear in How can my animal get contact with pigs. Domestic pig herds Aujeszky’s disease? breathing and die. Dogs and cats can have difficulty swallowing and should be kept away from feral swine. Aujeszky’s disease is usually excessive drooling. Vaccines are available for pigs but spread by nose-to-nose contact with they only prevent signs of disease an infected pig (direct contact), and do not prevent infection. In the but aerosol transmission through U.S., a surveillance program monitors respiratory secretions can also occur. pig populations, making sure that the The virus can be spread on fomites Aujeszky’s Disease disease is not spread from feral pig (objects in contact with infected or pseudorabies, is a highly populations to domestic pigs. animals or their environment) or in contagious disease of pigs the carcasses of infected pigs. Sexual that has severe economic For More Information transmission is possible as is transfer consequences. from sow to piglet during pregnancy. CFSPH Technical Fact Sheets. Aujeszky’s Disease at http://www.cfsph.iastate. Other animal species can also be edu/DiseaseInfo/ infected with Aujeszky’s disease virus after contact with infected pigs or USDA APHIS Pseudorabies at http:// from eating infected pork. www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/ animal_diseases/pseudorabies/ Photo from USDA Agricultural Research Service. Last Updated: July 2011 © 2011.