Experimental infection of slaughter pigs with classical swine fever virus: transmission of the virus, course of the disease and antibody response

• DOI: 10.1136/vr.145.9.243
• Publication Date: 2010-10-05T06:05:51Z
• Authors: H. Laevens; F. Koenen; H. Deluyker; A. de Kruif
• Keywords: Seroconversion; Classical swine fever; Pestivirus

The spread of classical swine fever virus was investigated in an isolation unit containing four pens, each six slaughter pigs. One pig the middle pen three adjacent pens inoculated intramuscularly and intranasally with virus. fourth located a separate compartment. were visited strict order to study, first, effect indirect contact via contaminated clothing footwear on and, secondly, airborne transmission between compartments. pigs examined blood samples taken every other day for 62 days virological serological analyses. highly contagious five that direct contad pig, but only after all originally infeded had become viraemic. promoted by footwear, airbome contributed considerably within pighouse. first clinical signs observed introduced into decreased feed intake, increased mean rectal temperature apathy. Neither course infection, nor pattem seroconversion over time, affected differences intensity different pens.