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CHINA - Unknown disease kills >1,000,000 pigs in 1 district alone
- Thread starter Sharpe
- Start date
Mingus
New member
Re: CHINA - Unknown disease kills >1,000,000 pigs in 1 district alone
It's hard to tell, because the pro-med mail report is really too unrelevant.
H5N1 is far from being the only disease that can possibly be the cause of that massive death in swine.
H5N1 is "panzootic" (animal pandemia) in bird right now...
But circovirus related diseases are panzootic in swine right now...
If I where a pig I would fear circovirus more than H5N1.
But that said, the PMWS only affect a perticular age-class of animal and the dermatic symptoms as stated in the report are especially evident and is rarely misdiagnosed with flu ...
But circovirus & influenza are not mutually exclusives.
H5N1 haved been seen in the past in Indonesia and in China... what was the symptoms onset ???
It's hard to tell, because the pro-med mail report is really too unrelevant.
H5N1 is far from being the only disease that can possibly be the cause of that massive death in swine.
H5N1 is "panzootic" (animal pandemia) in bird right now...
But circovirus related diseases are panzootic in swine right now...
If I where a pig I would fear circovirus more than H5N1.
But that said, the PMWS only affect a perticular age-class of animal and the dermatic symptoms as stated in the report are especially evident and is rarely misdiagnosed with flu ...
But circovirus & influenza are not mutually exclusives.
H5N1 haved been seen in the past in Indonesia and in China... what was the symptoms onset ???
gsgs
Registered User
Re: CHINA - Unknown disease kills >1,000,000 pigs in 1 district alone
I don't remember any redskinned victims...
So you think H5N1 is still possible ? That would be horrible.
And if I were a pig, I would fear humans.
I have no experience with promed, (when) are we
going to get an answer ?
I don't remember any redskinned victims...
So you think H5N1 is still possible ? That would be horrible.
And if I were a pig, I would fear humans.
I have no experience with promed, (when) are we
going to get an answer ?
Mingus
New member
Re: CHINA - Unknown disease kills >1,000,000 pigs in 1 district alone
The circovirus replicated very poorly (at least 10(6) for an infectious dose in a competent cell plate)
It is beleived that the circovirus need the immune system to be activated by a secondary cause to being able of fully efficient replication, usually it is latent.
the viral load in serum of a positive healthy pigs is around 10(-4)TCID50/ml while sick pigs will have high viral load value like 10(-1) to 10(3)TCID50/ml.
Pigs that are PRRS(+) INFLUENZA(+) and PMWS(+) are not so uncommon.
Pigs that are PRRS(+) & PMWS (+) are very common.
Mingus said:
The circovirus replicated very poorly (at least 10(6) for an infectious dose in a competent cell plate)
It is beleived that the circovirus need the immune system to be activated by a secondary cause to being able of fully efficient replication, usually it is latent.
the viral load in serum of a positive healthy pigs is around 10(-4)TCID50/ml while sick pigs will have high viral load value like 10(-1) to 10(3)TCID50/ml.
Pigs that are PRRS(+) INFLUENZA(+) and PMWS(+) are not so uncommon.
Pigs that are PRRS(+) & PMWS (+) are very common.
Re: CHINA - Unknown disease kills >1,000,000 pigs in 1 district alone
Korea has had problems with swine deaths and illness also. I have seen data from these swine indicating they were infected with H9N2 (found in Korean birds) and H1N1 (lab strain WSN/33). H1N2 sequences related to the 2002 isolate from Korea were also detected. The H1N2 sequences were similar to isolates from North America and swine in Canada have recombined with these sequences
http://www.recombinomics.com/phylo/Canadian_Swine_PB2.html
Korea says the H1N2 entered their country via imports from North America.
There are also links between avian sequences in Korea and swine sequences in Hong Kong.
http://www.recombinomics.com/News/03060502/Chicken_M_Reassortment.html
The researchers in Korea were well aware of circovirus, but thought the swine problems were due to influenza, not circovirus.
Mingus said:
Korea has had problems with swine deaths and illness also. I have seen data from these swine indicating they were infected with H9N2 (found in Korean birds) and H1N1 (lab strain WSN/33). H1N2 sequences related to the 2002 isolate from Korea were also detected. The H1N2 sequences were similar to isolates from North America and swine in Canada have recombined with these sequences
http://www.recombinomics.com/phylo/Canadian_Swine_PB2.html
Korea says the H1N2 entered their country via imports from North America.
There are also links between avian sequences in Korea and swine sequences in Hong Kong.
http://www.recombinomics.com/News/03060502/Chicken_M_Reassortment.html
The researchers in Korea were well aware of circovirus, but thought the swine problems were due to influenza, not circovirus.
gsgs
Registered User
Re: CHINA - Unknown disease kills >1,000,000 pigs in 1 district alone
the presence of the circovirus disease is an indication
for a double infection with something else ?
Doesn't sound good. I don't know PRRS.
Maybe you can recommend some online-paper about
the circovirus ? I could search with google, but am
guessing for suitable keywords ?
the presence of the circovirus disease is an indication
for a double infection with something else ?
Doesn't sound good. I don't know PRRS.
Maybe you can recommend some online-paper about
the circovirus ? I could search with google, but am
guessing for suitable keywords ?
Re: CHINA - Unknown disease kills >1,000,000 pigs in 1 district alone
Here is an upcoming paper describing more swine problems in Korea
Here is an upcoming paper describing more swine problems in Korea
Two swine influenza viruses, Sw/Korea/PZ72-1/06 and Sw/Korea/CN22/06, were
isolated in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells from nasal swabs of pigs showing a typical influenza-like illness. In Chunbuk province on March, 2006, Sw/Korea/PZ72-1/06 was isolated from the nasal swabs of 8-week-old, cross-bred pigs that showed respiratory disease signs including depression, coughing, sneezing, and a loss of appetite. The Sw/Korea/CN22/06 was isolated from the lung homogenates of a dead 9 –week-old, cross-bred pig that showed a typical influenza-like illness with a 30%mortality in Chungnam province on April, 2006. The subtype of Sw/Korea/PZ72-1/06and Sw/Korea/CN22/06 were determined to be H3N1 by two multiplex reversetranscription (RT)- polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing as previously described (9).
gsgs
Registered User
Re: CHINA - Unknown disease kills >1,000,000 pigs in 1 district alone
yes, but first back to the million pig problem.
I searched the promed archive for "request for information"
and they were answered a few days later (2 examples
only, quick search). So there is hope that we will hear more soon.
Please correct me, if someone has more experience with promed.
Florida, the pig-prices were not up so much. 2%-4%.
Wouldn't we expect more ?
yes, but first back to the million pig problem.
I searched the promed archive for "request for information"
and they were answered a few days later (2 examples
only, quick search). So there is hope that we will hear more soon.
Please correct me, if someone has more experience with promed.
Florida, the pig-prices were not up so much. 2%-4%.
Wouldn't we expect more ?
sharon sanders
Editor-in-Chief & President
Re: CHINA - Unknown disease kills >1,000,000 pigs in 1 district alone
If this is not an H5N1 infection, then with a lower supply of pigs (due to death by disease), the demand for existing healthy supply from other other areas of China will drive prices up.
The next pig price report will be out this Friday.
If the pigs are perceived as dangerous to eat (H5N1) then prices should fall though the floor as chicken prices have done in areas where the infection spread.gsgs said:
If this is not an H5N1 infection, then with a lower supply of pigs (due to death by disease), the demand for existing healthy supply from other other areas of China will drive prices up.
The next pig price report will be out this Friday.
Re: CHINA - Unknown disease kills >1,000,000 pigs in 1 district alone
Here is more on swine flu problems in China
Genetic characterization of novel reassortant H1N2 influenza A viruses isolated from pigs in southeastern China.
College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, P.R. China.
In December 2004, three influenza H1N2 viruses were isolated from lung samples of pigs that had died from respiratory disease on a farm in southeastern China. To determine the genetic characterization and probable origin, one of the three isolates, A/Swine/Zhejiang/1/2004 (Sw/ZJ/1/2004), was genetically analyzed. Sw/ZJ/1/2004 was a reassortant with an NA gene most closely related to the corresponding gene from a human-like H3N2 virus circulating in 1995. The remaining seven genes were most closely related to those from the classical swine H1N1 virus. Sw/ZJ/1/2004 appeared to be a novel reassortant H1N2 virus that was genetically distinguishable from other H1N2 viruses found in pigs worldwide. The isolation of Sw/ZJ/1/2004 provided further evidence for pigs serving as a "mixing vessel" for the generation of new reassortant genotypes of influenza viruses and emphasizes the importance of reinforcing influenza virus surveillance in pigs in China.
Here is more on swine flu problems in China
Genetic characterization of novel reassortant H1N2 influenza A viruses isolated from pigs in southeastern China.
College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, P.R. China.
In December 2004, three influenza H1N2 viruses were isolated from lung samples of pigs that had died from respiratory disease on a farm in southeastern China. To determine the genetic characterization and probable origin, one of the three isolates, A/Swine/Zhejiang/1/2004 (Sw/ZJ/1/2004), was genetically analyzed. Sw/ZJ/1/2004 was a reassortant with an NA gene most closely related to the corresponding gene from a human-like H3N2 virus circulating in 1995. The remaining seven genes were most closely related to those from the classical swine H1N1 virus. Sw/ZJ/1/2004 appeared to be a novel reassortant H1N2 virus that was genetically distinguishable from other H1N2 viruses found in pigs worldwide. The isolation of Sw/ZJ/1/2004 provided further evidence for pigs serving as a "mixing vessel" for the generation of new reassortant genotypes of influenza viruses and emphasizes the importance of reinforcing influenza virus surveillance in pigs in China.
Mingus
New member
Re: CHINA - Unknown disease kills >1,000,000 pigs in 1 district alone
But, Dr.Niman the two above articles are about reassortment and potentially recombination event in swine influenza virus in asia.
Talking about symptoms...
Theses regulars swine flu will have
fever, coughing, sneezing, depression
as regular symptoms.
while circovirus diseases will be like
high fatality rate & sudden death.(...)
porcine dermatitis
[FONT=Arial, Veranda]respiratory distress or laboured breathing.[/FONT]
The promed-report about massive death report
rising body temperature,
redness of the skin
rapid breathing
Ok given that H5N1 due to his high pathogenic cleavage site could have a different symptoms onset than regulal influenza swine virus...
My question is what was thoses symptoms in places where it have been seen in asia ?
But, Dr.Niman the two above articles are about reassortment and potentially recombination event in swine influenza virus in asia.
Talking about symptoms...
Theses regulars swine flu will have
fever, coughing, sneezing, depression
as regular symptoms.
while circovirus diseases will be like
high fatality rate & sudden death.(...)
porcine dermatitis
[FONT=Arial, Veranda]respiratory distress or laboured breathing.[/FONT]
The promed-report about massive death report
rising body temperature,
redness of the skin
rapid breathing
Ok given that H5N1 due to his high pathogenic cleavage site could have a different symptoms onset than regulal influenza swine virus...
My question is what was thoses symptoms in places where it have been seen in asia ?
Mingus
New member
Re: CHINA - Unknown disease kills >1,000,000 pigs in 1 district alone
As a very personnal comment from an asthmatic, I can tell that when your respiratory capacity lower, you breath less profoundly but more rapidly, a little bit like if only the upper part of the tank is accessible...
As a very personnal comment from an asthmatic, I can tell that when your respiratory capacity lower, you breath less profoundly but more rapidly, a little bit like if only the upper part of the tank is accessible...
gsgs
Registered User
Re: CHINA - Unknown disease kills >1,000,000 pigs in 1 district alone
1: Wei Sheng Wu Xue Bao. 2005 Dec;45(6):860-4.<SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.2><!--var PopUpMenu2_LocalConfig_jsmenu3Config = [ ["ShowCloseIcon","yes"], ["Help","window.open('/entrez/query/static/popup.html','Links_Help','resizable=no,scrollbars=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,menubar=no,copyhistory=no,alwaysRaised=no,depend=no,width=400,height=500');"], ["TitleText"," Links "]]var jsmenu3Config = [ ["UseLocalConfig","jsmenu3Config","",""]]//--></SCRIPT><SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.2><!--var Menu16496692 = [ ["UseLocalConfig","jsmenu3Config","",""], ["Books","window.top.location='http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&list_uids=16496692&dopt=Books'","",""], ["LinkOut","window.top.location='http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&list_uids=16496692&dopt=ExternalLink'","",""]]//--></SCRIPT> Links <DD class=abstract id=abstract16496692>[Cloning and analysis of the complete genome of a Goose circovirus from Yongkang Zhejiang]
[Article in Chinese]
College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China. xpyu@zju.edu.cn
To investigate the mechanism of avian influenza outbreak wildly in water fowls, the co-pathogens, especially that caused immuno-depression were studied. A pair of degenerated primers, which amplified a fragment of 552bp in length, was designed and synthesized based on the published goose and other Circovirus sequences. The specific PCR product was amplified from the goose sample of Yongkang avian influenza case of Zhejiang Province. The fragment was then sequenced and the result showed the existence of the GoCV. The opposite part of the genome was further amplified using inverse primers designed based on the 552bp sequence obtained and the 1821bp full length genomic sequence of GoCV-yk01 was compiled using Seqman program of DNAStar. Sequence analysis showed that the GoCV-yk01 possessed common features of circovirus included potential replication associated stem-loop structure and the Rep protein motifs. Homology analysis showed that the sequence of GoCV-yk01 had 91% approximately 93% similarity to that of Taiwan and Germany strains. Phylogenetic analysis with ClustalW, however, showed that the GoCV-yk01 was on a different branch away from Taiwan and Germany strains. Circovirus usually causes immuno-depression and results in secondary infection, as it infects rapid growing cells as lymphocyte. It is speculated that the infection of GoCV may be a part of the reason of the avian influenza outbreak of the Yongkang case. The GoCV-yk01 is the first GoCV strain reported in mainland of China.
PMID: 16496692 [PubMed - in process]
</DD>
1: Wei Sheng Wu Xue Bao. 2005 Dec;45(6):860-4.<SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.2><!--var PopUpMenu2_LocalConfig_jsmenu3Config = [ ["ShowCloseIcon","yes"], ["Help","window.open('/entrez/query/static/popup.html','Links_Help','resizable=no,scrollbars=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,menubar=no,copyhistory=no,alwaysRaised=no,depend=no,width=400,height=500');"], ["TitleText"," Links "]]var jsmenu3Config = [ ["UseLocalConfig","jsmenu3Config","",""]]//--></SCRIPT><SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.2><!--var Menu16496692 = [ ["UseLocalConfig","jsmenu3Config","",""], ["Books","window.top.location='http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&list_uids=16496692&dopt=Books'","",""], ["LinkOut","window.top.location='http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&list_uids=16496692&dopt=ExternalLink'","",""]]//--></SCRIPT> Links <DD class=abstract id=abstract16496692>[Cloning and analysis of the complete genome of a Goose circovirus from Yongkang Zhejiang]
[Article in Chinese]
College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China. xpyu@zju.edu.cn
To investigate the mechanism of avian influenza outbreak wildly in water fowls, the co-pathogens, especially that caused immuno-depression were studied. A pair of degenerated primers, which amplified a fragment of 552bp in length, was designed and synthesized based on the published goose and other Circovirus sequences. The specific PCR product was amplified from the goose sample of Yongkang avian influenza case of Zhejiang Province. The fragment was then sequenced and the result showed the existence of the GoCV. The opposite part of the genome was further amplified using inverse primers designed based on the 552bp sequence obtained and the 1821bp full length genomic sequence of GoCV-yk01 was compiled using Seqman program of DNAStar. Sequence analysis showed that the GoCV-yk01 possessed common features of circovirus included potential replication associated stem-loop structure and the Rep protein motifs. Homology analysis showed that the sequence of GoCV-yk01 had 91% approximately 93% similarity to that of Taiwan and Germany strains. Phylogenetic analysis with ClustalW, however, showed that the GoCV-yk01 was on a different branch away from Taiwan and Germany strains. Circovirus usually causes immuno-depression and results in secondary infection, as it infects rapid growing cells as lymphocyte. It is speculated that the infection of GoCV may be a part of the reason of the avian influenza outbreak of the Yongkang case. The GoCV-yk01 is the first GoCV strain reported in mainland of China.
PMID: 16496692 [PubMed - in process]
</DD>
gsgs
Registered User
Re: CHINA - Unknown disease kills >1,000,000 pigs in 1 district alone
1: Vet Microbiol. 2004 Feb 4;98(2):159-63.
Porcine circovirus-2 and concurrent infections in the field.
Ellis J, Clark E, Haines D, West K, Krakowka S, Kennedy S, Allan GM.
...
Porcine circovirus-2 (PCV-2) is the necessary cause of post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) in swine; however, a variety of co-factors, including other infectious agents, are thought to be necessary in the full expression of disease.
... Other co-infecting agents with PCV-2 in the lung include,
(PRRSV), swine influenza virus (SIV) and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae.
1: Vet Microbiol. 2004 Feb 4;98(2):159-63.
Porcine circovirus-2 and concurrent infections in the field.
Ellis J, Clark E, Haines D, West K, Krakowka S, Kennedy S, Allan GM.
...
Porcine circovirus-2 (PCV-2) is the necessary cause of post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) in swine; however, a variety of co-factors, including other infectious agents, are thought to be necessary in the full expression of disease.
... Other co-infecting agents with PCV-2 in the lung include,
(PRRSV), swine influenza virus (SIV) and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae.
gsgs
Registered User
Re: CHINA - Unknown disease kills >1,000,000 pigs in 1 district alone
1: Vet J. 2003 Nov;166(3):251-6.
Association of porcine circovirus 2 with porcine respiratory disease complex.
Kim J, Chung HK, Chae C.
porcine respiratory disease complex (PRDC)
porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2)
Among the 105 pigs with PRDC,
85 were positive for PCV2,
66 were positive for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV),
60 were positive for porcine parvovirus (PPV),
14 were positive for swine influenza virus (SIV).
There were 80 co-infections and 25 single infections.
[Korea,2003]
1: Vet J. 2003 Nov;166(3):251-6.
Association of porcine circovirus 2 with porcine respiratory disease complex.
Kim J, Chung HK, Chae C.
porcine respiratory disease complex (PRDC)
porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2)
Among the 105 pigs with PRDC,
85 were positive for PCV2,
66 were positive for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV),
60 were positive for porcine parvovirus (PPV),
14 were positive for swine influenza virus (SIV).
There were 80 co-infections and 25 single infections.
[Korea,2003]
Sharpe
Senior Moderator
Re: CHINA - Unknown disease kills >1,000,000 pigs in 1 district alone
Promed is posting more on this. Really fascinating but sad stuff, that's for sure.
It is being called the "Pig High Fever Unknown Illness".
They additionally mention other provinces affected, say that it has a mortality rate of >40%, has the highest lethality rates among younger pigs, and has been going on for several years (!!!!!!!!!!!!), and they still don't know what it is! They additionally mention another symptom--blue ears. ??? I take the following quote directly out of one of Theresa's recent posts from Indonesia:
Well, why shouldn't they be? Everything's already dead!
UNDIAGNOSED DISEASE, PORCINE - CHINA (02): REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ****************************************************************** A ProMED-mail post <http://www.promedmail.org> ProMED-mail is a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases <http://www.isid.org> [1] Date: 4 Sep 2006 From: Dan Silver <dgsilver@yahoo.com> Source: ChinaNews.com [translated by sender, edited] <http://www.chinanews.com.cn//kj/ylws/news/2006/09-04/784512.shtml>
A pig disease has occurred in some mid-sized and small farms and farming households in some parts of China's South this summer. A spokesperson from the News Office of China's Ministry of Agriculture said today that the number of cases has already been substantially reduced and the disease situation is easing. This kind of pig disease is mainly characterized by high fever and is called "Pig High Fever Disease." In recent years during the hot and humid season, it has appeared numerous times in regions of the South. After the disease outbreak, the Ministry of Agriculture sent expert teams and work teams to disease-affected regions to diagnose the disease and guide local prevention and control work. Laboratory tests have ruled out zoonotic disease. At the same time, using OIE-recommended detection methods, African Swine Fever has been ruled out. The Ministry of Agriculture requests that all locales organize veterinary personnel to go deep into local areas to guide farming households in disinfection, isolation, and other comprehensive prevention and control measures, and undertake immunization against identified pathogens. [Byline: Dong Jung]
***** [2] Date: 5 Sep 2006 From: Dan Silver<dgsilver@yahoo.com> Source: Suizhou Daily News [translated by sender, edited] <http://61.184.255.22/news/2006/200609035.htm> Yesterday, the provincial government held an urgent, province-wide videoteleconference [the province in question is Hubei; see URL for map below] on prevention and control of serious animal diseases, demanding fast action from all parts of the province, paying special attention to prevention and control work against the unknown pig high fever illness, to ensure increased agricultural efficacy and increased farmer receipts. Since the middle of July 2006, an unknown pig disease has occurred in the neighboring provinces of Anhui, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Hunan and Henan, and other areas. Already 40 percent of pigs have died from infection. As of mid-August this disease had already spread to parts of Hubei. Conditions are relatively serious. According to reports, the pig disease is characterized by high fever, sudden onset, rapid transmission, and high mortality rate. Municipal Government Secretary Yan Xinguo participated in the conference. He requested all districts of the city to heighten awareness, formulate vigorous measures, organize with utmost care, strengthen monitoring, and pay attention to disease trends at all times. Relevant departments must carry out legal inspections of pig transports and conscientiously strengthen the intensity of inspections at border inspection spots. Animal husbandry and other relevant departments must strengthen market supervision, firmly deal with disease, and strengthen oversight against disease during production, slaughter and sale. Once high fever pig illness of unknown origin is discovered, immediately file reports, quickly undertake safe disposal, strictly disinfect, work hard against the sale of dead diseased pigs and pigs that have died of unknown causes, and ensure the safety of meat on the market. Relevant departments must suspend purchase of pigs from disease-affected areas to prevent the spread of pig disease. While prevention and control of unknown high fever pig disease is being accomplished, strictly watch for other animal diseases and thoroughly plan prevention and control work for other serious animal diseases. Organize specialized teams to supervise disease inspection to ensure substantial progress on disease prevention in the fall. ****** [3]
Date: 4 Sep 2006 From: Dan Silver<dgsilver@yahoo.com> Source: Jiangshan Television [translated by sender, edited] <http://www.21js.com/Program/News/ShowNews.Asp?NewsID=14230> Recently, the circumstances of pig "high fever illness" have been relatively severe. In response, Jiangshan is adopting measures to actively implement prevention and treatment. [Jiangshan -- a common city name, occurring in several Chinese provinces -- is in this case a municipality within the larger Quzhou City, situated in the western part of Zhejiang Province. - CopyEd.PG] Pig "high fever illness" is appearing in all areas in our province [Zhejiang] other than Zhoushan City. There are more than 66 000 ill pigs and already more than 11 000 have died. Since July, pig "high fever illness" has appeared in one village after the other in Jiangshan. Symptoms are elevated body temperature, redness on the body surface, and cough. Ears turn light blue in a minority of pigs. The mortality rate among sucklings and weaned pigs is especially high. To effectively carry out prevention of pig "high fever illness", the municipal agriculture department strengthens disease inspection and safe disposal of deceased ill pigs, and guides pig-raising households to lower temperatures in pigsties, reducing the occurrence of disease. On the morning of 4 Sep 2006, Jiangshan held a pig "high fever illness" prevention meeting. Vice mayor Xu Daqing demanded heightened attention to pig "high fever illness" and thorough implementation of all prevention and control measures, including sealing off and isolating disease sites, strengthening hygiene and disinfection, and reducing movement of pigs. At this time, traders are prohibited from importing breeding pigs from other provinces and cities to strictly prevent disease from entering Jiangshan and to ensure the efficacy of disease prevention work. [Byline: Yu Chunzhou] --
ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org> [Our first posting referred to Anhui, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Hunan, Hubei, Jiangsu, and other provinces. Today's reports additionally mention Jiangshan City in Zheijiang province and Henan province (see <http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c9/China_administrative.png>). Given the reports of over a million dead pigs, many of which appear to be in village settings, the disease is clearly widespread. Secondly, death is reported to occur in over 40 percent of pigs, definitely making this a high-mortality event. The big question is what disease is causing such widespread mortality in swine? Clearly, "high fever" or "blue ear" disease is not a diagnosis, rather they are signs of an undiagnosed and seemingly systemic disease. "Blue ear" was used by Europeans as a slang name early on for the recently emerged Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Disease, but this does not generally cause such widespread mortality among all age groups. Discoloration of the skin can be seen in several swine diseases including erysipelas and salmonellosis. Such high mortality and the widespread nature of this outbreak -- as well as the control measures instituted -- prompts one to think of epidemic swine diseases such as Hog Cholera (as known as Classical Swine Fever) or African Swine Fever. However, I hope that the Chinese authorities are carefully considering the possibility of Swine Influenza usually caused by H1N1, H1N2, or H3N2 in Asia. Although Swine Influenza does not normally cause very high mortality (i.e. only 2-3 percent die when the disease is endemic), a new influenza strain could cause high mortality in swine[DUH!], just as it would in humans. Therefore, it is important we find out exactly what is causing this undefined, undiagnosed disease over large areas of China. - Mod.PC]
Promed is posting more on this. Really fascinating but sad stuff, that's for sure.
It is being called the "Pig High Fever Unknown Illness".
They additionally mention other provinces affected, say that it has a mortality rate of >40%, has the highest lethality rates among younger pigs, and has been going on for several years (!!!!!!!!!!!!), and they still don't know what it is! They additionally mention another symptom--blue ears. ??? I take the following quote directly out of one of Theresa's recent posts from Indonesia:
Sheesh. What are we dealing with here? A mortality rate of 40% sweeping through millions of pigs in China? Yikes. Promed happily discusses flu as a possibility, but they don't even consider H5N1, merely hinting at it--I have absolutely NO idea why, making some amazingly random comments about harmless diseases that occasionally have the ... "blue ear"... Ha ha ha! Ironically, the reports are that in those areas hit the hardest, the epidemic situation is improving....Theresa42 said:
Well, why shouldn't they be? Everything's already dead!UNDIAGNOSED DISEASE, PORCINE - CHINA (02): REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ****************************************************************** A ProMED-mail post <http://www.promedmail.org> ProMED-mail is a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases <http://www.isid.org> [1] Date: 4 Sep 2006 From: Dan Silver <dgsilver@yahoo.com> Source: ChinaNews.com [translated by sender, edited] <http://www.chinanews.com.cn//kj/ylws/news/2006/09-04/784512.shtml>
A pig disease has occurred in some mid-sized and small farms and farming households in some parts of China's South this summer. A spokesperson from the News Office of China's Ministry of Agriculture said today that the number of cases has already been substantially reduced and the disease situation is easing. This kind of pig disease is mainly characterized by high fever and is called "Pig High Fever Disease." In recent years during the hot and humid season, it has appeared numerous times in regions of the South. After the disease outbreak, the Ministry of Agriculture sent expert teams and work teams to disease-affected regions to diagnose the disease and guide local prevention and control work. Laboratory tests have ruled out zoonotic disease. At the same time, using OIE-recommended detection methods, African Swine Fever has been ruled out. The Ministry of Agriculture requests that all locales organize veterinary personnel to go deep into local areas to guide farming households in disinfection, isolation, and other comprehensive prevention and control measures, and undertake immunization against identified pathogens. [Byline: Dong Jung]
***** [2] Date: 5 Sep 2006 From: Dan Silver<dgsilver@yahoo.com> Source: Suizhou Daily News [translated by sender, edited] <http://61.184.255.22/news/2006/200609035.htm> Yesterday, the provincial government held an urgent, province-wide videoteleconference [the province in question is Hubei; see URL for map below] on prevention and control of serious animal diseases, demanding fast action from all parts of the province, paying special attention to prevention and control work against the unknown pig high fever illness, to ensure increased agricultural efficacy and increased farmer receipts. Since the middle of July 2006, an unknown pig disease has occurred in the neighboring provinces of Anhui, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Hunan and Henan, and other areas. Already 40 percent of pigs have died from infection. As of mid-August this disease had already spread to parts of Hubei. Conditions are relatively serious. According to reports, the pig disease is characterized by high fever, sudden onset, rapid transmission, and high mortality rate. Municipal Government Secretary Yan Xinguo participated in the conference. He requested all districts of the city to heighten awareness, formulate vigorous measures, organize with utmost care, strengthen monitoring, and pay attention to disease trends at all times. Relevant departments must carry out legal inspections of pig transports and conscientiously strengthen the intensity of inspections at border inspection spots. Animal husbandry and other relevant departments must strengthen market supervision, firmly deal with disease, and strengthen oversight against disease during production, slaughter and sale. Once high fever pig illness of unknown origin is discovered, immediately file reports, quickly undertake safe disposal, strictly disinfect, work hard against the sale of dead diseased pigs and pigs that have died of unknown causes, and ensure the safety of meat on the market. Relevant departments must suspend purchase of pigs from disease-affected areas to prevent the spread of pig disease. While prevention and control of unknown high fever pig disease is being accomplished, strictly watch for other animal diseases and thoroughly plan prevention and control work for other serious animal diseases. Organize specialized teams to supervise disease inspection to ensure substantial progress on disease prevention in the fall. ****** [3]
Date: 4 Sep 2006 From: Dan Silver<dgsilver@yahoo.com> Source: Jiangshan Television [translated by sender, edited] <http://www.21js.com/Program/News/ShowNews.Asp?NewsID=14230> Recently, the circumstances of pig "high fever illness" have been relatively severe. In response, Jiangshan is adopting measures to actively implement prevention and treatment. [Jiangshan -- a common city name, occurring in several Chinese provinces -- is in this case a municipality within the larger Quzhou City, situated in the western part of Zhejiang Province. - CopyEd.PG] Pig "high fever illness" is appearing in all areas in our province [Zhejiang] other than Zhoushan City. There are more than 66 000 ill pigs and already more than 11 000 have died. Since July, pig "high fever illness" has appeared in one village after the other in Jiangshan. Symptoms are elevated body temperature, redness on the body surface, and cough. Ears turn light blue in a minority of pigs. The mortality rate among sucklings and weaned pigs is especially high. To effectively carry out prevention of pig "high fever illness", the municipal agriculture department strengthens disease inspection and safe disposal of deceased ill pigs, and guides pig-raising households to lower temperatures in pigsties, reducing the occurrence of disease. On the morning of 4 Sep 2006, Jiangshan held a pig "high fever illness" prevention meeting. Vice mayor Xu Daqing demanded heightened attention to pig "high fever illness" and thorough implementation of all prevention and control measures, including sealing off and isolating disease sites, strengthening hygiene and disinfection, and reducing movement of pigs. At this time, traders are prohibited from importing breeding pigs from other provinces and cities to strictly prevent disease from entering Jiangshan and to ensure the efficacy of disease prevention work. [Byline: Yu Chunzhou] --
ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org> [Our first posting referred to Anhui, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Hunan, Hubei, Jiangsu, and other provinces. Today's reports additionally mention Jiangshan City in Zheijiang province and Henan province (see <http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c9/China_administrative.png>). Given the reports of over a million dead pigs, many of which appear to be in village settings, the disease is clearly widespread. Secondly, death is reported to occur in over 40 percent of pigs, definitely making this a high-mortality event. The big question is what disease is causing such widespread mortality in swine? Clearly, "high fever" or "blue ear" disease is not a diagnosis, rather they are signs of an undiagnosed and seemingly systemic disease. "Blue ear" was used by Europeans as a slang name early on for the recently emerged Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Disease, but this does not generally cause such widespread mortality among all age groups. Discoloration of the skin can be seen in several swine diseases including erysipelas and salmonellosis. Such high mortality and the widespread nature of this outbreak -- as well as the control measures instituted -- prompts one to think of epidemic swine diseases such as Hog Cholera (as known as Classical Swine Fever) or African Swine Fever. However, I hope that the Chinese authorities are carefully considering the possibility of Swine Influenza usually caused by H1N1, H1N2, or H3N2 in Asia. Although Swine Influenza does not normally cause very high mortality (i.e. only 2-3 percent die when the disease is endemic), a new influenza strain could cause high mortality in swine[DUH!], just as it would in humans. Therefore, it is important we find out exactly what is causing this undefined, undiagnosed disease over large areas of China. - Mod.PC]