Death usually occurs within 5 to 14 days following the onset of illness. The chronic form of hog cholera causes similar clinical signs in affected swine, but the signs are less severe than in the acute form. Discoloration of the abdominal skin and red splotches around the ears and extremities often occur. Pigs with chronic hog cholera can live for more than 100 days after the onset of infection. The mild or clinically inapparent form of hog cholera seldom results in noticeable clinical signs.
Affected pigs suffer short periods of illness often followed by periods of recovery.
Eventually, a terminal relapse occurs. The mild strain may cause small litter size, stillbirths, and other reproductive failures. High mortality during weaning may also indicate the presence of this mild strain of hog cholera. This task force is ready to respond immediately to any foreign disease outbreak. Quarantine the affected premises and the surrounding areas, if necessary, to restrict the movement of affected and exposed animals.