Julie Zimmerman
Advanced Swine Production
Spring 2008

What is Circovirus?
 There are actually two types of Circovirus:
 Porcine Circovirus (PCV) 1 – PCV-1
 Porcine Circovirus (PCV) 2 – PCV-2
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PCV-1
• PCV-1 & PCV-2 were found as far back as
1969, but was not isolated and studied until 1974.
• PCV-1 has not been found to cause any disease in swine and research has not established any clinical significance to
PCV-1.
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PCV-2
In 1995 researchers noticed that when
PMWS (post-weaning multi-systemic wasting syndrome) was diagnosed, by association they proposed the idea that
PCV-2 sometimes caused PMWS.
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PCV-2
 In 1999, after many studies, research confirmed that PCV-2 causes PMWS.
 It also causes PRDC (porcine respiratory disease complex) and PDNS (porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome).
 Note: studies have shown that PCV-2 generally must be combined with extenuating circumstances to turn into Circovirus.
 If most herds were tested, PCV-1 & PCV-2 would show up in the blood, but rarely shows clinical signs or manifests into other syndromes.
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If pigs are infected with PCV-2 symptoms generally appear from 5 -18 weeks of age.
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Symptoms of PCV-2
 Poor growth
 Swollen lymph nodes
 Diarrhea
 Stomach ulcers
 Fever
 Jaundice
 Difficulty breathing
 Weight loss
 Skin rashes
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Transmission of PCV-2
 Much like any other disease PCV-1
& PCV-2 are passed through:
 Blood
 Urine
 Feces
 Mucous
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Reasons for Manifestation of PCV-2
 Not completely known, but researchers think it is a combination of the following:
 Presence of PCV-2 in herd
 Environmental conditions (weather, cleanliness of barns, etc.)
 Stress
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Every-day Prevention
 Quarantine new hogs
 Foot dip for humans entering farrowing houses
 Maintain proper ventilation
 Stay up to date with vaccinations for other diseases
 Promptly treat ill pigs
 Control rodent, insect and bird population near the hog pens and barns
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“Current studies suggest that when the immune system becomes activated fighting off a disease challenge and the pig also is infected with PCV-2, the circovirus infection may become overwhelming and result in PMWS.”
Henry Gauvreau, Porcine Swine Update, 2001
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EM Porcine Circovirus-2
Provided by: www.pcvd.org
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Treatment
 There are currently 3 vaccines to treat
PCV-2 in the United States.
 They are all VERY limited in supply.
 However vaccination is more of a preventative method, due to the fact that it won’t work as well, once the pig has contracted the virus.
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Administration of Vaccination
 Vaccinate sows in the beginning
 Vaccinate piglets at 4-6 weeks, never before 4 weeks
 Use 1 half dose each time
 A booster vaccination 2-3 weeks after original vaccination is encouraged
 Keep vaccine at room temperature
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Miscellaneous Facts
 Evidence proves that certain genetic lines are more apt to acquiring PCV-2.
 If a herd has a breakout of PCV-2, generally death loss will not be higher than 30%.
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Sources
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Bush, E., F. Cardinal, M.J. Engle, P. Halbur, F. Madec, T. Opriessnig. “A Producer’s
Guide to Managing PCVAD, Porcine Circovirus Associated Diseases”. California
Department of Food and Agriculture & Kansas State University Cooperative
Extension – Handout.
 http://www.cdfa.ca.gov.ahfss/Animal_Health/
Gauvreau, H., “Porcine Circovirus Update”.
Advances in Pork Production.
Vol. 12, pg. 31. 2001.
Harp, R., Personal Communication, (Jan. 2008).
Neumann, E., P. Halbur, S. Sorden. “Pork Health Fact Sheet – Circovirus Infection in
Swine”.
American Association of Swine Veterinarians and National Pork Board .
Oct. 2002.
 http://www.thepigsite.com/articles/1/health-and-welfare/813/pork-health-fact-sheet-circovirusinfection-in-swine
“Porcine Circovirus (PCV)”, (n.d.), College of Veterinary Medicine, University of
Minnesota , Oct. 2006.
 www.pork.org/porkscience/documents/circovirus.pdf
“Vaccine Developed for Global Swine Disease”, (n.d.), Virginia Tech, Jul. 2006.
 http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/521788/
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The End
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