This involves an acute depression in the production of red blood cells from the bone marrow, directly due to infection of reticulocytes. This is a transient event which is usually not of great clinical significance except in patients with other haematological diseases, e.g. sickle-cell disease. This is followed by a rubella-like rash , usually the most obvious symptom of B19 infection. Feline Parvovirus and Canine Parvovirus have emerged during the last decade as serious veterinary pathogens. Vaccines against both now exist and are widely used.
Control is usually by slaughter.