Whats the Real Cost of Swine Erysipelas?
Opportunities for nickels and dimes have greater impact when profit margins are tight. For example, occasional lameness in finishing pigs and discounts at slaughter are common realities that sometimes seem beyond our control. However, recent research suggests that we could still improve diagnosis and control of an old disease erysipelas. Erysipelas continues to affect pigs worldwide, with economic losses stemming from disease outbreaks or animals being condemned at slaughter. It is estimated that 30-50% of swine harbor Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, the causative agent of swine erysipelas. Pigs carrying E. rhusiopathiae, shed the organism and are thought to be the source of infection for acute outbreaks of erysipelas, which often follow a stress-inducing event. Pigs can be infected with erysipelas without signs, or can suffer clinical disease ranging from lameness, septicemia, skin lesions, or they can suddenly die without signs of disease. Herd or barn outbreaks of erysipelas are typic
