The state Department of Agriculture has confirmed a case of pseudorabies in Boone County. The case was confirmed in a swine herd near Albion on Monday. Officials are conducting an epidemiology investigation to determine if the new case is related to previous cases. Fourteen cases of the highly infectious disease were confirmed earlier this year including 10 in Platte County, three in Colfax County and one in Cuming County. Pseudorabies can be spread from pigs to other animals.
Inanimate objects can also carry the disease from one herd to another or one farm to another.
The disease causes abortions, breathing problems and problems with the central nervous system. Besides pigs, pseudorabies is fatal to cattle, sheep, dogs and cats. It does not harm humans. Herds within two miles of the Boone County herd will be required to undergo testing for the disease. The Department of Agriculture has asked producers in the area to strictly monitor traffic at pork production facilities.