The virus was not known prior to 1966 when it appeared in Italy, causing transient vesicular lesions (2-14d) that were confused with FMDV. It spreads via ingestion of unboiled swill, eg waste from airports, throughout Europe. It is a very resistant virus and will survive in the environment or uncooked swill for months. Absent from UK since 1981 after a massive MAFF campaign in which many temporary DVO's with thermometers checked swill tanks.

Diagnosis and control,- typical of a notifiable disease:

Suspect cases must be reported to the Ministry and the police. They will serve movement restriction orders over a radius of 10 km.. Confirmation of SVD by ELISA on vesicle fluid will result in all pigs on the premises being slaughtered, with compensation. Carcases are buried in lime or incinerated and the premises disinfected.