The veterinarians met with the
United States Department of Agriculture about the situation and about
packing-plant carcass condemnations.
There was a dramatic increase of
erysipelas in 1999-2000.
Vaccination of replacement gilts,
adult animals and finish hogs can aid in the prevention of Erysipelas lesions
and losses.
Symptoms include blisters, fever, shaking, and chills. The spots that arise are painful, very red,
swollen, and skin underneath the sore is warm.
It can infect
people; it is treated with penicillin, sometimes requiring intravenous
treatment if it enters the bloodstream where it can attack organs, including
the heart.
Swine erysipelas is caused by a bacterium, Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae that is
found in most if not all pig farms. Up to 50 per of animals may carry it in
their tonsils.
