Raising Awareness of a Novel Pig Syndrome Emerging in Europe

Veterinarians and pig producers are being encouraged to remain vigilant following reports of a novel pig syndrome affecting herds in several European countries. While the condition has not been reported in the UK or Ireland to date, animal health experts are keen to increase awareness and support early investigation of any suspected cases.

What Are the Clinical Signs?

The syndrome is characterised by a distinctive combination of symptoms, most notably bilateral exophthalmos (bulging eyes), generalised skin reddening, reduced growth rates, and, in some cases, hair loss. Additional signs may include wrinkled skin, thickening of the neck, apparent strabismus (crossed eyes), respiratory difficulties, and tongue protrusion.

The disease primarily affects piglets between two and ten weeks of age, although gilts and finishing pigs with bulging eyes have also been reported. Outbreaks can last between three and six months and, in some herds, signs have affected up to 80% of pigs in around half of all litters. Although mortality rates appear low, affected farms can experience secondary health issues such as peri-weaning diarrhoea and greasy pig disease, along with reduced growth performance and greater variation within batches of finishing pigs.

A Possible Viral Link

Investigations in the Netherlands and Denmark have identified a previously unknown parvovirus (PV) variant in high concentrations within tissues taken from affected pigs. Importantly, this virus has not been detected in healthy pigs tested so far.

The novel virus differs from known porcine parvoviruses and appears most closely related to a parvovirus previously detected in fox populations in the Netherlands, Croatia, and Denmark. However, no disease was associated with the virus in foxes, and its role in wildlife remains unclear.

At present, researchers have not established a definitive causal link between the virus and the clinical syndrome. Further epidemiological studies and experimental investigations are underway to determine whether the newly identified parvovirus is responsible for the disease.

There are currently no concerns regarding human health or food safety, and no zoonotic risk has been identified. Existing commercial vaccines against endemic porcine parvovirus are not expected to provide protection against this newly identified variant.

The Situation in Great Britain

To date, this syndrome has not been reported in pigs in Great Britain. However, with live pigs and pig semen imported from certain EU countries, surveillance remains important while more is learned about potential transmission routes and risk factors.

Veterinarians in Scotland who encounter pigs displaying clinical signs consistent with the syndrome are encouraged to contact their nearest Disease Surveillance Centre for advice. Where cases closely resemble those reported in the Netherlands and Denmark, post-mortem examinations of up to three pigs may be funded through the Scottish Government Disease Surveillance budget to support further investigation.

Images and videos of affected animals can be particularly valuable in helping veterinary teams assess suspected cases and determine whether further testing is warranted.

Supporting Early Detection

While many questions remain unanswered, raising awareness among veterinarians and producers is essential to ensuring any potential cases are identified quickly. Continued surveillance and investigation will help improve understanding of this emerging syndrome and support efforts to protect pig health across the UK.

Information provided by the SRUC Pig Disease Surveillance Team.