Swine Vesicular

Disease

Description

Swine vesicular disease (SVD) is an acute, 

contagious viral disease of swine cause by an

enterovirus. It is characterized by fever and vesicles

with subsequent ulcers in the mouth and on the

snout, feet, and teats. The pathogen is relatively

resistant to heat, and can persist for a long time in

salted, dried, and smoked meat products.

Occurrence

The disease first occurred in Italy, and has been

recognized in Hong Kong, Japan, and a number of

European countries. In the 1990s outbreaks were

reported in Italy, Spain, and Portugal.

Transmission

The disease can be introduced into a herd by

feeding garbage containing infected meat scraps, by

bringing in infected animals, or by direct contact with

infected feces (such as in an improperly cleaned

truck). After the initial infection, the disease spreads

through contact of susceptible pigs with infected pigs

and infected feces.

Clinical Signs

Clinical signs are very similar to those of

foot–and–mouth disease (FMD) and other vesicular

diseases. They are:

• Fever

• Vesicles in the mouth and on the snout and 

feet

• Lameness and an unsteady gait, shivering and 

jerking–type leg movements

• Ruptured vesicles can cause ulcers on limbs 

and feet, and foot pads may be loosened

Young animals are more severely affected.

Recovery often occurs within a week. There is no

mortality with SVD.

Prevention and Control

There is no vaccine for SVD. Prevention measures are similar to those for FMD: controlling animals

imported from infected areas, and sanitary disposal

of garbage from international aircraft and ships, and

thorough cooking of garbage. Infected animals

should be placed in strict quarantine. Eradication

measures for the disease include quarantining 

infected areas, depopulation and disposal of infected

and contact pigs, and cleaning and disinfecting 

contaminated premises.

What the U.S. Livestock Owner Can Do

Livestock owners can help to protect the U.S.

livestock industry by knowing the signs of SVD and

immediately reporting anything suspicious to their

veterinarian or an animal disease control official.

Public Health

Laboratory workers should use caution as human

infection has been reported in laboratory staff 

working with the virus.

Additional Information

For more information contact

USDA–APHIS

Veterinary Services Emergency Programs

4700 River Road

Riverdale, MD 20737

Phone: (301) 734–8073

Fax: (301) 734–7817

or visit the APHIS Web site at 

www.aphis.usda.gov

Factsheet

Veterinary Services June 2003

APHIS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination

in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national

origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to

all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative

means for communication of program information (Braille, large

print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at

(202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of

Civil Rights, Room 326–W, Whitten Building, 14th and

Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250–9410 or call

(202) 720–5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity

provider and employer.

United States Department of Agriculture • Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service • Safeguarding American Agriculture