Swine influenza

Swine influenza, a highly contagious disease affecting the respiratory tract of pigs, is c a use d  b y a  vir us b e lo nging t o the ge nus I nflu e nz a vir us  in the f a mily Orthomyxoviridae. The disease outbreaks occur during late fall and is worst during the winter in Europe and America. The clinical signs are characterized by coughing, high temperature and difficulty in breathing. There is no specific treatment.

Symptomatic treatment helps in prevention of secondary complications owing to bacterial agents. Vaccines have been developed.