Teschen Disease
Teschen disease is a viral disease affecting pigs, caused by the Teschovirus A virus, leading to severe neurological symptoms and significant economic losses in swine populations. It does not affect humans.
If notifiable disease is suspected, contact DAERA on 0300 200 7840 or your local DAERA Direct Regional Office. Failure to do so is an offence
Current Situation
There has never been an outbreak of Teschen disease in Northern Ireland.
Clinical signs
The disease can affect pigs of all ages. The early clinical signs are:
- fever
- loss of appetite
- lack of energy
- lack of co-ordination
Affected pigs may also:
- grind their teeth
- suffer convulsions
- lose their voice
- smack their lips
- suffer paralysis
The disease affects pigs suddenly. Many lose the ability to move and may die within 3 or 4 days. It is often fatal, though mildly affected animals may survive.
What is the public health risk associated with this disease?
There are no human health implications because the disease is not zoonotic.
How is the disease transmitted?
Teschen disease is spread by:
- contact with infected pigs or their faeces
- contact with anything that’s contaminated, eg equipment, vehicles or people
Prevention
Good biosecurity is essential to the prevention of introduction of Teschen disease into Northern Ireland. Pig Farmers are reminded, as normal practice, to apply biosecurity and hygiene rules in order to reduce the risk that any virus enters a pig farm by means of movements of people, vehicles and any other material.
Biosecurity measures that farmers can take
- maintain strict biosecurity
- only allow essential visitors to enter your farm, and insist that they wear clean or disposable clothing and footwear, and wash their hands (or shower in if possible)
- only allow vehicles and equipment on to the farm if they have been cleaned and disinfected beforehand
- do not allow people who may have been in contact with other pigs on to your farm
- do not allow staff and visitors to bring pork products on to the farm
- do not allow catering waste / scraps to be fed to pigs - dispose of it safely
- only source pigs and semen of known health status
If you keep pigs, you have an important role in preventing further disease outbreaks, it is essential that pig holders maintain effective biosecurity all year round.
The Department has a Pig Text Alert Service for all pig keepers to receive immediate notifications of disease outbreaks or other important disease information.
More useful links
AHS - Teschovirus encephalomyelitis - DAFM
Teschovirus - WOAH