EMCV causes heart failure in young piglets and reproductive failure in pregnant sows. The disease may occur as an outbreak or as sporadic cases. Human infections with EMCV have been reported but none fatal. Transmission of the virus is through ingestion of rat carcasses or contamination of feed with rat feces or urine. No antiviral treatment available.
Prevention is based upon rodent control and eradication programs.
The Big Picture Book of Virology Cardiovirus Home Page at the Institute for Animal Health Radostits, O., C. Gay, D. Blood, K. Hinchcliff. Veterinary Medicine .