Seneca Virus Showing up in Oregon

The Seneca Valley Virus has been showing up in pigs throughout the US and, specifically, in hogs imported to Oregon from Canada by truck.

State Veterinarian Dr. Brad LeaMaster said Oregon has reported more than 50 cases of Seneca Valley Virus since September and officials have to take each one very seriously.

“So we are making detections of this disease several times a week. That causes a huge amount of work for us. We have to send a veterinarian, we have to take samples, those samples go to the laboratory, and those costs all add up.”

The big problem is that it mimics something much more serious– foot and mouth disease, something not seen in the US since 1929.

LeaMaster said that means there is risk in not responding to reports of Seneca Valley Virus, they miss FMD coming to the state.

“The hogs break, we’re getting used to seeing it, oh it’s Seneca Valley Virus. But that’s the perfect opportunity. The first time we get lazy and we don’t take one of these reports seriously, that’s the perfect time for the FMD virus to sneak in on us.”

The clinical signs on affected pigs is identical between Seneca and foot and mouth– blisters on the nose and feet, and general lameness in the animal. The lab is the only way to confirm the virus.