(Wart Hog Disease) Wart Hog Disease is a contagious and fatal disease of pigs. Disease was confined to Africa up to 1957. After that disease was reported from many other parts of the globe. Virus belongs to Irido viridae. Virus is resistant to putrefaction, dryness and heat and it can remain alive for six months in chilled and frozen meat and carcass. It remains attached with RBCs of infected pigs. It can be grown in developing chicken embryo and tissue culture. Virus is immunologically different from Swine fever causing virus. This disease is transmitted mainly through contact with infected or carrier pigs. Indirect transmission is also possible. Ornithodoras moubata, a tick also transmits the disease. Virus will be present in all secretions and excretions from nasopharynx, conjunctiva and uro-genital tract. Virus on entry invades tonsil and lymph nodes. Then a period of viraemia, subsequently damage happens to vascular endothelium. Changes like haemorrhages, serous exudates, infarction and oedema can be noted in different parts of the body. There will be destruction of lymphocytes and lymphopaenia can be observed in affected. Cyanotic patches can be seen in unpigmented areas. Accumulation of fluid in body cavities and petichael haemorrhages over serous surfaces. Diagnosis: Clinical signs and laboratory tests viz. AGID, RIA, IFT and ELISA. Treatment: Symptomatic Control: Restriction of movement, quarantine, proper disposal of carcasses.
