April 19, 2007

LANSING - Effective immediately, Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) Director Mitch Irwin is banning the importation of Wisconsin hogs due to an outbreak of Pseudorabies Virus (PRV) in that state.  Testing this week by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed PRV in a swine herd in Clark County, Wisconsin.

"We are taking swift, aggressive action to safeguard the health and economic viability of Michigan’s pork industry," said Irwin.  "Michigan achieved pseudorabies free status in 2000. The ability of this disease to spread to hogs and other animals poses an imminent danger to the swine industry demanding an immediate response."

The ban will stay in place until testing of all herds within a five-mile radius of the infected herd are identified and tested negative. Once testing is complete, MDA will review the results and evaluate its position.

Pseudorabies is a highly contagious viral disease primarily affecting swine, but other animals such as deer, raccoons, cattle, sheep, goats, dogs and cats can also be infected. It is not a health threat to humans. PRV is transmitted through nasal and oral secretions, food, water and the environment, and can be carried on car tires, boots and clothing. Additionally, swine may harbor the virus without showing clear signs.

In 2005, Michigan’s pork industry generated $230 million, produced more than 470 million pounds of pork and has a total swine population of 960,000.

Violations are punishable by fines of up to $50,000 and/or up to five years imprisonment and will not receive any indemnification payments at the discretion of the MDA director.