Farm Animal Training :: Swine

Those working in swine containment facilities are at increased risk for developing chronic respiratory symptoms.  Four gases were measured (carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, ammonia); each of the gases exceeded the respective TLV in one or more units; Organic dust toxic syndrome (ODTS) is a febrile illness characterized by malaise, myalgias, chest tightness, headache and nausea after exposure to large amounts of organic dust. Symptoms appear 4-8 hours after exposure occurs and can last for several days.  Nasal, eye and throat complaints are also found in animal confinement workers.  If you are having nasal or respiratory problems, notify the occupational health nurse (Medical Surveillance Program) for referral for medical examination and respirator fitting. 

The following precautions are necessary to protect yourself and your family from disease while working with swine:    

• Gloves should be worn when caring for swine, and hands must be washed after glove removal and frequently throughout the day.
• Many of the swine Zoonoses are caused by fecal-oral contamination.  To prevent this, no eating, drinking, applying lip balm or smoking is allowed in areas where pigs or their excreta are present.  Always wash your hands prior to eating, drinking, smoking, or applying lip balm.
• Report sick pigs so the University Vet can diagnose, treat, and prevent the spread.
• Designated protective clothing and shoes should be worn, and these are to be kept and laundered at the Swine facility.  It can be particularly dangerous to bring these organisms home to your family members.  A normal, healthy adult may have only mild symptoms when infected with a zoonotic disease, but the same organisms can be fatal to infants, the elderly, and those with a weakened or suppressed immune system, such as people without spleens, people taking cortisone and other medications, people on chemotherapy or  radiation, those with cancer, diabetes, AIDS or renal failure, etc.

·        If you suspect your immune system may be abnormal, seek medical attention for diagnosis, treatment and determination as to whether or not animal exposure is safe for you. Do this immediately!

BALANTIDIUM COLI is a protozoan normally found in a pig’s intestine.  If it is transmitted to humans (by fecal contamination) it can cause  severe colitis, with ulcers and sloughing of intestinal mucosa.   Always wash your hands after handling pigs, their wastes or body tissues.

BRUCELLOSIS…B. suis is the main species found in pigs, but SC is a Brucellosis-free state for swine. In humans the disease is life threatening, with severe fever and disabling lesions of the spine.  Men may become sterile from testicular infections.  Administration of the live Brucella vaccine is a possible source of the disease, and is only to be administered by the University Vet.  Prevention is by observing good hygiene, particularly wearing masks and gloves, as well as hand washing

COCCIDIOSIS…In pigs, these protozoan parasites may cause mucoid or bloody diarrhea, dehydration, anemia and weakness. Although the risk of infection to humans is fairly low, pigs infected with this parasite should be isolated from other pigs and treated. 

COLIBACILLOISIS…Certain strains of E. coli are responsible for a syndrome called Edema disease, wherein pigs show neurologic symptoms and edema of the eyelids and sometimes, edema of the entire neck and belly area. The disease may be discovered when large numbers of weanling pigs suddenly die, without any previous signs of ill health. In man, the bacteria can cause profuse and watery diarrhea, abdominal colic and vomiting; a few strains of E. coli may cause rapid disease and death!  Transmission is controlled by wearing protective clothing (gloves) when handling pigs, their wastes or body tissues.

ERYSIPELAS is caused by a Gram-positive anaerobic rod, Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, found where substances that contain nitrogen decompose.  Infected pigs show high fevers, painful movement due to infected joints and often, there is a skin rash of raised, pink to purple, squarish lesions which range in size from pinpricks to about four inches across.  The disease can cause similar lesions in man.  In mild cases, a rash will form, usually on the hands.  In a more severe case, the rash will have raised blue-purple spots with sharply defined edges and is painful.   Normally it is lasts 2 to 4 weeks and is benign, but has also been known to cause arthritic changes, endocarditis and damage to heart valves, or sudden death.  Persons working with swine should wear puncture-proof gloves and protective clothing when handling pigs, their wastes or body tissues.  They should wash their hands after glove removal.  Antibiotic treatment is indicated, but E. rhusiopathiae has been found to be resistant to sulfonamides, aminioglycosides, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and vancomycin. 

LEPTOSPIROSIS

Infected pigs usually show no symptoms from this bacteria, but it may cause an increased number of abortions and small, weak piglets.  The organism is secreted in a pig’s urine, and can cause a severe illness in humans.  The incubation period is usually 7-13 days, with a range of 2-26 days.  The onset is usually abrupt, with influenza-like symptoms.  These include fever, headache, chills, severe muscle pain ( especially calves and thighs). Gastrointestinal symptoms and conjuctival redness can also occur.  The illness lasts from a few days to several weeks, and may progress to renal, liver, respiratory, or cardiac failure or central nervous involvement.  It sometimes results in death.

This page was updated on August 10, 2004, and is maintained by Sue Pedrick in the Joseph F. Sullivan Center of the College of Health, Education,and Human Development

© Medical Surveillance Program * Clemson University * Clemson, South Carolina, 29634