The first known case of pseudorabies in commercial swine since 2004 has been confirmed in Iowa and Texas.  

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed via testing a detection of antibodies to pseudorabies virus (PRV) in a small commercial swine facility in Iowa. This confirmation was a result of routine testing. 

According to the report, initial traceback indicates there were five affected boars, and they came from an outdoor facility in Texas. Animals from that herd also tested positive for pseudorabies. Officials in Iowa and Texas are working to expand traceback efforts and identify any additional potential exposures. 

The USDA reports that this detection does not pose a risk to consumer health or affect the safety of the commercial pork supply. Pseudorabies is a contagious viral disease of livestock and other mammals. However, pigs are the only natural hosts. While pseudorabies virus can infect most mammals, humans, horses, and birds are considered resistant.