Aujeszky's disease appears in Hungary, epidemic quarantine ordered
They reported that the infectious disease, caused by a herpesvirus that is not dangerous to humans but affects numerous animal species, primarily pigs, first showed clinical symptoms at a breeding farm in Somogyszob last December, where piglet mortality and the number of miscarriages increased.
The presence of the disease was confirmed at Nébih's laboratory on 31 December by serological testing and on 6 January by PCR testing.
They emphasised that official measures began on 31 December, including sampling at the company's three other sites, with two stocks – in Somogyszob, Nagybaráti-puszta, and Böhönye, Terepezd-puszta – testing positive for the infection.
Official measures have been ordered at the affected sites in accordance with the regulations on the rules for eradicating and maintaining freedom from Aujeszky's disease in pig populations, and an epidemiological investigation is underway to determine the origin of the infection and to examine contact sites,
they stated.
Nébih noted that Hungary has been recognised by the European Union as free from the disease since 2015.
Aujeszky's disease, also known as pseudorabies, was distinguished from rabies, which is also dangerous to humans, by Hungarian microbiologist Aladár Aujeszky at the beginning of the 20th century. Pseudorabies produces similar symptoms to rabies, and besides pigs, it can affect horses, sheep, cattle, as well as dogs and cats. For the latter, infection is almost certainly fatal, which is why it is never recommended to feed pets with raw pork.
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