Report of an outbreak of swine fever in Auckland

Abstract

Extract

Swine fever is an acute septicaemic disease, caused by a filterable virus, producing high fever and prostration, with frequently almost 100% morbidity and mortality, and characterised on post mortem by haemorrhages in skin, kidney, spleen and lymph glands. It is widely recognized as a very serious disease in overseas countries. The cost of annual control in the U.S.A. alone is estimated at £10,000,000. The virus of swine fever can be easily carried by animate and inanimate objects, is fairly resistant to natural destruction and is readily communicable. Strenuous efforts have been made in the past to keep it out of this country. Considerable loss occurs in an outbreak and, if uncontrolled, swine fever would spread extremely rapidly and gain a firm hold. In countries like America and England, the disease has got so far out of hand that the slaughter policy is impracticable and a costly vaccination campaign is the only method of controlling the disease.