Legislature approves psuedorabies program

Over 400 Iowa swine herds are infected with pseudorabies and the state is launching a program to eradicate the disease from Iowa by the end of the year. Mandatory vaccinations are ordered for all hogs raised in the northern two-thirds of Iowa. Governor Vilsack signed the pseudorabies eradication plan into law yesterday. Iowa Ag Secretary Patty Judge says it’s time to get rid of pseudorabies. She says it’s a good and aggressive plan that will require some tough choices and sacrafices.Pseudorabies causes respiratory problems and spontaneous abortions in pigs. The state will provide nearly one-million dollars to help farmers pay for part of the costly vaccinations. Judge says more help may be on the way from the federal government.Governor Vilsack wrote the U-S Ag Secretary yesterday, asking for that federal help. Thirty-four states have been completely free of pseudorabies for at least a year and another seven states have no current infections.