Congenital tremor in piglets due to pestivirus

摘要

After decades of speculation, congenital tremor in neonatal piglets has been confirmed to be caused by a virus. Researchers from both the United States and the Netherlands recently identified a new type of porcine pestivirus.Congenital tremor is the phenomenon of 'dancing pigs'. It is best described as newborn piglets showing muscular tremor, ataxia and inability to stand and suck. Typically, the trembling only occurs when the piglets are awake, as those affected with congenital tremor don't tremble while sleeping. Often, congenital tremor coincides with splayleg. Piglets may succumb due to the inability to stand or suck, but those piglets that survive, usually recover as clinical signs disappear over time.