Maine warns farmers and fairs about sick and dying pigs

A recent increase in young male pigs getting sick and dying prompted the state to issue a health advisory on Wednesday.

In the last month, the Maine Animal Health Program has learned of several pigs on different farms in western Maine coming down with diarrhea diseases. Some have died. The state did not release specific numbers.

The infections are affecting pigs that are from 2 to 4 months old, weighing less than 50 pounds, the state said.

One of the pigs had Lawsonia , the bacteria that causes the disease porcine proliferative enteropathy . Symptoms include thin and sometimes bloody diarrhea.

Two other bacterial diseases, swine dysentery and intestinal spirochetosis, can cause similar problems.

Swine dysentery is the more severe illness, according to the animal health program, and can also cause dehydration, weakness and weight loss. It’s spread by the pigs, their feces and anything contaminated by the feces.

Intestinal spirochetosis can cause mild diarrhea that looks like wet cement and lasts three to six weeks.

Pig owners and pork processors should quarantine their animals, take biosecurity precautions such as wearing clean shoes when visiting farms, cleaning anything that goes on or off the farm and minimizing contact with animals, plus find a veterinarian who works with pigs.

The program also recommends Maine’s agricultural fairs set a quarantine area for pigs who get sick, along with a health screening .

Sick or dead pigs can be reported to the state online .

The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry will provide updates as they’re available, it said.