The Iowa Department of Agriculture is easing back the testing it does for a serious disease that hits hogs. The state mounted a successful effort last year to rid the state of Pseudorabies. The disease that can cause reproductive problems in hogs and can cause young pigs to die. With the disease under control, state and federal funds to monitor it have been cut, and the state is cutting tests of producers.They’re lessening the testing requirements from every six months, to once a year. State Veterinarian, Dr. John Schiltz, says he’s not worried of the disease making a come back.He says the regulations on the importation of hogs will continue– as will the testing at slaughter houses. giving them an adequate level of serveilance. Schiltz says there are still no known cases of Psuedorabies in the state. He says producers still need to be vigilant and should continue their normal monitoring efforts for all types of diseases in their animals. Dr. Schiltz says this is the time of year when viruses can be a problem for hogs. He says viruses thrive in the cold and don’t do as well during warm sunny days. Plus, he says buildings shut up to conserve heat help spread viruses.
