Erysipelas is an infectious disease mostly of growing or adult swine. It may be clinically inapparent, may cause acute illness involving many animals, or be a chronic disease characterized by enlarged joints, lameness, and endocarditis. Rhomboid skin (diamond-skin) lesions are an inconsistent feature only associated with acute cases. Occurrence Erysipelas occurs in swine, lambs and turkeys. It occurs occasionally in other poultry and many kinds of wild birds. Seasonal distribution has not been documented but losses may be greater during warm summer months. Sporadic outbreaks are seen in most kinds of livestock, wild mammals (including rodents), reptiles and amphibians. Erysipeloid, a localized skin infection, occasionally occurs in people who work with infected animals or process meats, poultry, fish or animal by-products. In humans, the disease referred to as “erysipelas” is actually caused by a streptococcal infection. Epidemiology Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is thought to be spread...
Agricultural venture