Erysipelas
Swine Disease

Disease description

Erysipelas is an infectious disease caused by a type of bacteria commonly found in swine operations. The disease may be classified as acute, subacute or chronic.

• In its acute form, erysipelas causes sudden death with high fever (up to 108 degrees), lameness and depression. Red, diamond-shaped raised skin lesions may appear after 2-3 days, giving the disease one of its common names, diamond skin disease.

• The subacute form includes many of the same symptoms but they are less severe.

• Chronic erysipelas may follow acute or subacute infection and includes arthritis, lameness or subclinical infections.

In the breeding herd, erysipelas can cause abortion and stillbirth, as well as overall poor reproductive performance including repeated breeding and weak piglets.

Newborn or young piglets are very susceptible to the disease if the sow has not been vaccinated. The most susceptible group of swine, however, is recently weaned animals that are no longer receiving maternal antibodies through milk and colostrum.

Clinical signs

Signs of disease include sudden death, fever, depression, unwillingness to stand, lack of appetite, stiffness, raised red skin lesions, and poor reproductive outcomes.

Disease prevention

Vaccinating sows prior to breeding, newborn piglets at 1 day of age and feeder pigs at weaning will help prevent erysipelas.

Protection against erysipelas also can be found in Ery Shield and a number of combination products from Novartis Animal Health.