June 5, 2008

LANSING - Effective immediately, the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) is quarantining all Michigan game ranches with shooting swine and has banned the movement of game ranch swine onto and off of any premises in Michigan due to the recent discovery of pseudorabies virus (PRV) in “transitional” swine. All swine on game ranches for sport, hunting, or shooting must be held for testing during the statewide disease investigation. Quarantines will be released after swine on each facility test negative.

MDA issued the quarantine in response to four “transitional” swine facilities associated with game ranches in Cheboygan, Gladwin and Saginaw counties where PRV infected swine were confirmed. PRV does not affect humans, and is not related to rabies, but causes death in piglets and respiratory infections in adult swine. PRV is transmitted through nasal and oral secretions, food, water, and the environment. Transitional swine are identified as Razorback or European wild boar type swine, or hybrids, used for shooting purposes. Transitional swine are also domestic swine, housed in a manner that may allow contact with feral swine.

“Since fairs and exhibitions can serve as disease transmission points, MDA is requiring PRV testing for all swine at 2008 fairs and exhibitions, unless it’s a terminal show,” said Dr. Steve Halstead, MDA state veterinarian. “If the fair or exhibition is terminal, all swine must go directly to slaughter after the show.”

As part of the disease investigation, all farms and ranches with any type of swine including; commercial, 4-H, FFA, and sport swine within a five-mile radius around the Saginaw, Gladwin, and Cheboygan county PRV-positive operations will be quarantined and the swine tested for PRV. Michigan State University Extension (MSUE), the Michigan Pork Producers Association (MPPA), and USDA Veterinary Services (VS) are partnering with MDA to contact swine owners to arrange for testing.

On May 6, 2008, MDA banned the importation of swine intended for: breeding on game ranches, for supply to game ranches, or facilities using swine for sport, hunting, or shooting. Violations of all quarantines and the already established import ban are punishable by fines of up to $50,000 and/or up to five years imprisonment.

PRV was also confirmed in five feral swine outside of the first PRV positive facility in Saginaw County.

“MDA and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourage the shooting of feral swine throughout Michigan,” said Halstead. “In order to safeguard Michigan’s commercial livestock industry, it’s imperative that shooters submit the swine heads and blood samples for disease testing. Blood collection kits are available at no charge through the DNR and USDA Wildlife Services.”

For more information regarding PRV, please visit one of the following Web sites, www.michigan.gov/mda, www.michigan.gov/dnr, or www.aphis.usda.gov/ws/statereports/michigan.html

For blood kits are available by contacting David Marks, USDA WS, at: (517) 336-1928, or via email ar david.r.marks@aphis.usda.gov, or the DNR Wildlife Disease Laboratory at: (517) 336-5030, or via email at brownkr@michigan.gov.