August 1, 2007

LANSING - Effective immediately, Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) Acting Director Phyllis Mellon is lifting the ban on the importation of Wisconsin hogs. Successful elimination of the pseudorabies virus (PRV) has been completed in Wisconsin and verified through retesting of neighboring swine herds.

The ban was instituted on April 19, 2007, in response to a notification from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) of a PRV outbreak in a swine herd in Clark County, Wisconsin. A second herd was later identified. This was Wisconsin’s first pseudorabies outbreak since 1998.

“We commend Wisconsin’s swine industry for quickly addressing this highly contagious viral disease which threatened the state’s pork industry,” said Mellon. “Michigan’s channels of commerce with Wisconsin swine producers are restored with confidence that our pork industry’s health and economic viability are protected.”

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

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.

For more information, please visit the MDA Web site at www.michigan.gov/mda or the USDA Web site at www.usda.gov.