Officials say the outbreak appears to be isolated and the infected herd has been depopulated.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed cases of the pseudorabies virus in swine herds in Iowa and Texas.

The small Iowa commercial swine herd of less than 100 hogs received five boars from the Texas herd several months ago, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) reported.

The Texas herd was housed outdoors, allowing potential contact with feral swine. Pseudorabies was eliminated from U.S. commercial swine herds in 2004 but the virus is still found in wild or feral swine populations, creating a risk of exposure for domestic pigs.

The Iowa herd was depopulated last week in response to the outbreak. Herd testing showed no spread from the five infected animals to the rest of the herd, suggesting the outbreak is isolated and contained, officials said.

“Based on the confirmation of the pseudorabies virus in a small commercial swine herd in Iowa, we are moving decisively to eliminate the disease,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig.

There are pseudorabies vaccines for pigs, but IDALS said it isn't necessary to institute mandatory vaccinations at this time.

The U.S. Meat Export Federation said it doesn't expect exports to be affected but is monitoring the situation.

Naig emphasized that pseudorabies isn't a food safety concern and the virus doesn't pose a risk to consumers or the general public.

Key information for swine producers, from Iowa State University's Pork Industry Center

Hog farmers can learn more about the pseudorabies virus (including information on transmission, clinical signs, diagnosis, prevention/biosecurity and more) here.