Pig disease investigations

15 July 2005

DAFF05/5D

Post-Weaning Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome (PMWS) does not exist in a NSW pig herd, and veterinary authorities will continue to investigate a South Australian herd to determine a diagnosis.

Australian Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Gardner Murray said the Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Diseases (CCEAD) met on July 12 to consider ongoing investigations into potential PMWS at two Australian piggeries, one in NSW and the other in SA.

"CCEAD concluded PMWS does not exist in the NSW pig herd, but veterinary authorities will continue to monitor the piggery as a precaution until the end of September," Dr Murray said.

"CCEAD also agreed that investigations will continue by veterinary authorities into the South Australian piggery before PMWS can be diagnosed or ruled out. The South Australian herd will remain subject to movement controls."

Dr Murray said PMWS has not been previously reported in Australia. He stressed the syndrome only affected pigs and is not a public health concern. Pork and pork products are safe to eat.

"Diagnosis of PMWS is complex, and the syndrome is considered to be caused by a factor, or number of factors, working in conjunction with a virus, porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), which is known to have been present in the Australian pig herd for some time," he said.

South Australian authorities will continue to work with the company involved and industry experts to further investigate the situation, and will provide a further report to CCEAD.

The National Management Group of CEOs from Australian agriculture departments and the peak industry body is being kept fully informed of developments in the investigations.

"To date there has been no impact on export markets as a result of this investigation and Australian authorities are continuing to work to ensure this remains the case," Dr Murray said. "Previous stringent import controls on pig meat remain in place."

Further inquiries:

Howard Conkey DAFF Media +61 2 6272 3232