Serological survey for Aujeszky's disease viral antibodies in chopper pigs slaughtered in the southern North Island

Authors: Durham PJK
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 35, Issue 1-2, pp 18-19, Jan 1987
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Livestock, Pig, Production animal
Subject Terms: Biosecurity, Clinical pathology, Diagnostic procedures, Disease surveillance, Slaughter, Viral
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: A serological survey carried out during 1976-77 found that Aujeszky`s disease infected piggeries were apparently confined to the southern half of the North Island . During this survey, a total of 1517 chopper pigs from 319 properties were examined in the infected region, giving property and serum reactor rates of 3.65% and 1.12% in the Palmerston North veterinary region, and of 3.15% and 1.06% in the Hastings veterinary region. A recent more extensive survey of adult farm-bled pigs further confirmed the present freedom of the South Island from the disease. To determine current reactor rates amongst chopper pigs slaughtered in the southern North Island, a serological study was carried out during 1984-5 using an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) procedure. Three freezing works located at Wanganui, Palmerston North and Wellington were selected for sampling, these giving 75% coverage of all pigs slaughtered in the endemic region, and previously providing the great majority of seropositive choppers in the 1976-77 survey. A number of minor freezing works were not sampled as they no longer slaughtered chopper pigs. The remaining major freezing works located at Hastings was also not sampled, as it provided few reactors in the earlier survey, and had given considerable difficulty with traceback of owners. All samples giving positive results by ELISA during the present survey were confirmed by retest on the original sample, prior to acceptance. Despite some limitations, the survey results do indicate...

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