Definition:
Classical swine fever is a highly-contagious disease of wild boar and pigs. It is also called CSF, hog cholera and pig plague. This disease is common in Central and South America, Asia, Europe and Africa.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis is made by analysis of symptoms, laboratory examination, pathology and epidemiology. Direct and indirect immunofluorescene as well as ELISA tests are used for virus detection.
Treatment:
There is no available treatment for classical swine fever. As such, all infected animals are killed.
Symptoms and Signs:
Symptoms of classical swine fever include convulsions, skin lesions and fever. In young animals, this disease can be fatal in as early as fifteen days. However, the virus causing this disease leads to a multitude of symptoms depending on severity. These symptoms may include skin hemorrhages, chronic infections and neurological symptoms.
Causes:
Classical swine fever virus, which is formerly known as hog cholera virus, causes this condition. It is from the genus Pestivirus of the Flaviviridae family.
