Porcine Circovirus Associated Disease

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Contact:  Mariah Carroll, College of Veterinary Medicine, 612-624-7231

University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine Receives Funding to Combat Emerging Swine Disease

PCVAD has already caused severe loss in Spain, UK and Quebec

MINNEAPOLIS/ ST. PAUL (January 25, 2007) - The Minnesota Rapid Agriculture Response Fund has approved $300,000 for University of Minnesota research to combat porcine circovirus associated disease (PCVAD) in Minnesota.

Universityof Minnesota researchers identified the urgent need for additional research after PCVAD epidemics occurred in several locations in the United States and caused severe loss in other countries, including Spain, UK, Quebec. Circovirus infection in pigs results in poor growth, weight loss, emaciation and increased mortality. Generally, fewer than 5 percent of pigs in an affected herd show clinical signs but morbidity and mortality can reach 40 percent. Most pigs that show signs of the disease do not recover or respond to treatment.

Funds will enable University researchers to investigate the epidemiology of porcine circovirus infections in boar studs and determine the role of non-porcine circovirus factors in causing PCVAD. Researchers will develop objective monitoring procedures, including diagnostic testing and sequencing, using boar stud serum, semen and blood.

“Boar studs have enormous potential to impact the health of the entire swine industry. They, therefore, warrant urgent investigation to understand if circovirus can be transmitted in the semen and, if so, how frequently transmission occurs,” says Trevor Ames, chair of the Veterinary Population Medicine department. “By concentrating efforts on understanding how to stop the spread of the virus in semen, University of Minnesota researchers will potentially save the Minnesota swine industry millions of dollars.”

The Rapid Agriculture Response (RAR) Fund, authorized by the Minnesota Legislature, creates a readily accessible source of assistance to accelerate research supporting Minnesota’s agricultural industry. For more information about the RAR, log onto www.rapidresponse.umn.edu.

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