Pseudorabies is a viral disease most prevalent in swine, often causing newborn piglets to die. Older pigs can survive infection, becoming carriers of the pseudorabies virus for life. Other animals infected from swine die from pseudorabies, which is also known as Aujeszky's disease and "mad itch." Infected cattle and sheep can first show signs of pseudorabies by scratching and biting themselves. In dogs and cats, pseudorabies can cause sudden death. The virus does not cause illness in humans.

For additional information:

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahps/pseudorabies/

USDA Veterinary Services (Guide to Surveillance)
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahps/surveillance/swine-pseudorabies.html

Pork Checkoff Factsheet and Prevention Information
http://www.usmef.org/pseudorabies/factsheet_prevention.pdf

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