Natural history of influenza in swine in Hawaii: swine influenza virus (Hsw1N1) in herds not infected with lungworms.

ABSTRACT

To obtain more information on mechanisms by which influenza virus is perpetuated in swine, retrospective and prospective seroepizootiologic observations were made in swine herds in Hawaii, beginning in 1974. An epizootic of swine influenza (Hsw1N1) virus was observed in November and December 1976, involving 31 of 41 herds. Features of the epizootic included (1) infection of all herds within one geographic location, during a short period; (2) no obvious introduction of virus from the outside in most herds; (3) epizootics mainly in herds with serologic history of infection; (4) no evidence that lungworms were involved; and (5) little clinical disease associated with infection. There was evidence of viral activity in some herds before the epizootic period and afterward in two of three herds monitored. Evidence of viral transmission by feral animals was not obtained. Data indicated that swine influenza virus persists through latently or chronically infected swine, with epizootics occurring when herd immunity reaches a critically low degree.