Division 1

The chronic course of infection occurs when pigs are not able to develop an effective immune response against classical swine fever virus. Initial signs of a chronic infection are similar to the acute infection. Later, predominately non-specific signs are present, i.e. intermittent fever, chronic enteritis and wasting. The typical haemorrhages of the skin are missing.

These pigs may show clinical signs of disease for 2 to 3 months before death. Classical swine fever virus is constantly shed from the onset of clinical signs until death. Antibodies may be temporarily detected in serum samples.