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

Abstract

Extract

Madam: — 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.(1) 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.(3)