Seroprevalence of Aujeszky's disease in the domestic pig population in the Republic of Croatia from 2013 to 2021

Abstract

Aujeszky's disease is a viral disease of animals, primarily pigs, which are considered to be the natural hosts. It is endemic in many parts of the world, but there are areas and countries that have successfully eradicated this disease. Due to mandatory control measures and trade barriers, Aujeszky's disease causes significant economic losses. Although, it has been eradicated in most European Union Member States, there are still areas and countries where it persists. In the Republic of Croatia, the disease has not yet been eradicated from the domestic pig population, although surveillance and eradication has been carried out since 2013. This paper presents the results of serological testing of domestic pigs for Aujeszky's disease in the period from 2013 to 2021. The prevalence of Aujeszky's disease at the farm level by year in the study period ranged from 4.66% (CI 95%, 4.39-4.95) to 0.67% (CI 95%, 0.35-1.28). Since 2016, prevalence was at an average level of 1.26% (CI 95%, 0.67-1.95%). The highest prevalence 10.28% (CI 95%, 9.15-11.53) was found in Varaždin County, and the lowest 0.14 % (CI 95%, 0.07-0.31) in Krapina-Zagorje County.