Menangle virus infection

Description

Menangle virus infection is casued by (a paramyxovirus) and was first recognised when it caused a single outbreak of reproductive disease in pigs in a large piggery near Sydney in 1997. A control program, successfully managed by NSW Department of Primary Industries, subsequently eradicated the virus from the piggery. A large serological survey failed to find any evidence of infection in other Australian pigs. No further outbreaks of the disease have occurred to date.

Flying foxes (fruit bats) near the piggery had antibodies to the Menangle virus. It is believed that flying foxes are the natural host of the virus, and that it was a relatively rare event that led to the virus 'jumping' into pigs.

Clinical signs include a severe decline in farrowing rate, a high incidence of delayed returns to service, and a marked increase in the number of mummified and stillborn piglets, some with severe deformities (e.g. arthrogryposis, brachygnathia, kyphosis, porencephaly and hydranencephaly). Stillborn piglets may have a severe non-suppurative encephalomyelitis.

Diagnosis and tests available

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on history, gross pathology, histopathology, virus isolation and virus neutralisation test results.

Tests available

Test

Sample(s) required

Days of the week test is conducted

Turnaround time1

Histopathology examination

Fixed tissue

Monday – Friday

Up to 5D

Menangle virus neutralisation test

Clotted blood (red top tube)

According to demand

1-3W

Menangle virus isolation

Fresh tissue

According to demand

3-4W

Please Note: D= Working Day(s), W= Week(s). TAT does not include weekends or public holidays.

1 Turnaround times are provided as a guide only. For specific information about your submission please contact Customer Service.

Additional Information

Specimen requirements

Blood (without anti-coagulant)
  • 10 ml of blood from farrowing sows with affected litters collected into a plain red top tube.
    • Submit chilled.
Fixed tissue
  • Fixed tissues from foetuses (whole brain and spinal cord).
    • Submit fixed in neutral buffered formalin at a 10:1 ratio of formalin: tissue.
Fresh tissue
  • Whole mummified or stillborn piglets.
  • Fresh tissues from aborted foetuses (brain, lung and heart)
    • Submit chilled.

Customer Service

Contact Customer Service for enquiries relating to testing and results, quotations and pricing, couriers, sample submission and invoicing.

NSW DPI's laboratories are committed to continual improvement of services. If you would like to provide feedback, please fill in and submit the online feedback form.

CONTACT DETAILS

Phone1800 675 623
Email

laboratory.services@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Operating Hours

8:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday (excluding public holidays)

8:30am-12:00pm Saturday (for deliveries only)

Postal Address

Private Bag 4008, Narellan NSW 2567

Quotations

For Animal export, Plant health or Veterinary quotations, please complete the online quotation request

For Edible oil & oilseed or Feed quality quotations and pricing enquiries, please contact DPI AgEnviro Labs at Wagga Wagga on (02) 6938 1957

For Plant nutrition, Soil health or Water quality quotations and pricing enquiries, please contact DPI AgEnviro Labs at Wollongbar on (02) 6626 1103

Submission Forms

Veterinary Specimen Advice Form

Please Note: These documents are not fully web accessible, please contact Customer Service (laboratory.services@dpi.nsw.gov.au) for more information.

Courier services and specimen delivery

For NSW submissions, please contact the relevant Customer Service team for courier account details and to order consignment notes.

For submitters outside of NSW, Couriers can be contacted directly to make bookings and arrange collection of packages at the submitters own cost.

Commercial couriers may use either road or air transport and specimens should therefore be packed in accordance with International Air Transport Association (IATA) requirements. Most submission sent by veterinarians to the SVDL for testing are defined as “Biological Substance Category B” and must be packed according to the IATA packing instructions 650 (Biological Substance Category B). As requirements for transport can change, customers should consult with their transport agent to obtain current requirements.

Samples may also be hand delivered to the site during normal business hours (8.30am - 4.30pm).

Sample Type

Laboratory

Street Address

Animal (including aquatic animals)

NSW Animal and Plant Health Laboratories (APHL)

EMAI, Woodbridge Road, Menangle NSW 2568