The pathology of encephalomyocarditis virus infection in pigs

Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) is a cardiovirus (picornaviridae) with a worldwide distribution and very wide host range, which includes rodents, domestic pigs and man. Outbreaks of fatal disease in pigs as a consequence of EMCV infection have been reported from Panama, the USA (Florida), Australia, New Zealand, Cuba and South Africa (lxopo, 1979; and Greytown, 1980). These outbreaks are usually characterised by sporadic sudden deaths over a period of weeks or months. Pigs in the age range 3-20 weeks represent the vast majority of animals that die of the disease.