VESICULAR EXANTHEMA OF SWINE VIRUS (VESV)
LEVELS: No evidence of transmission;Rare transmission events;Biosecurity largely ineffective;Easy: distinct signs and rapid tests;Substantial ongoing losses;Major prolonged losses;Low resistance risk;Minimal: Rare or short-course individual treatments;No effective treatments;No effective vaccine or bacterin available;Can be eradicated using existing tools and knowledge
OVERVIEW
Vesicular exanthema of swine (VES) is an acute, highly infectious vesicular disease of pigs caused by vesiviruses within the family Caliciviridae. Clinically, the disease is indistinguishable from foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and other vesicular diseases of swine. Although eradicated from the United States in 1959, VESV-like viruses persist in marine mammals and fish along the Pacific coast, representing a potential re-introduction risk. The disease has major regulatory and trade significance despite its absence from modern US production.
FOODBORNE ZOONOTIC TRANSMISSION POTENTIAL
Level: No evidence of transmission
VESV does not infect humans via consumption or handling of pork products.
NON-FOODBORNE ZOONOTIC TRANSMISSION POTENTIAL
Level: Rare transmission events
Rare human infections have been documented in people handling infected marine mammals or working with the virus in laboratory settings. These are unusual, highly specific exposure scenarios rather than routine occupational risks.
DISEASE SPREAD BEYOND FARM BIOSECURITY CONTROL
Level: Biosecurity largely ineffective
Transmission historically occurred via feeding uncooked garbage and contaminated marine products. Persistent circulation in marine mammals, fish, and shellfish represents a substantial non-pig reservoir that can amplify spread and complicate control if reintroduced.
DIFFICULTY OF DETECTING AND CONFIRMING INFECTION
Level: Easy: distinct signs and rapid tests
VES causes classic vesicular lesions that are immediately suspicious and trigger foreign animal disease investigation. Laboratory diagnostics (PCR, virus isolation, serology) are well established, though differentiation from FMD and other vesicular viruses is essential.
FINANCIAL IMPACT ON COST OF PRODUCTION
Level: Substantial ongoing losses
If introduced, VES would cause major production disruption due to rapid spread, stamping-out measures, and movement restrictions, even though direct mortality is low.
EFFECT ON DOMESTIC OR EXPORT MARKETS
Level: Major prolonged losses
Because VES is clinically indistinguishable from FMD, detection would result in immediate and severe domestic and international market impacts.
PATHOGEN'S ABILITY TO DEVELOP AND SPREAD RESISTANCE
Level: Low resistance risk
VESV is a virus and does not contribute to antimicrobial resistance.
AMR DEVELOPMENT DRIVEN BY DISEASE MANAGEMENT
Level: Minimal: Rare or short-course individual treatments
Disease management does not involve antimicrobial therapy.
AVAILABILITY OF EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OPTIONS
Level: No effective treatments
No specific treatment is available.
AVAILABILITY OF EFFECTIVE VACCINES OR BACTERINS
Level: No effective vaccine or bacterin available
Vaccines are not available; the large number of serotypes would likely preclude practical vaccine development.
CAN THIS DISEASE BE ERADICATED FROM THE US?
Level: Can be eradicated using existing tools and knowledge
VES was successfully eradicated from the US through coordinated regulatory action and could be eradicated again if reintroduced.