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Since late 2024, a new variant of parvovirus has been detected with increasing frequency on pig farms in the Netherlands. The so-called fox parvovirus causes striking symptoms, particularly in piglets. In Flanders, Animal Health Care Flanders (DGZ) is also now receiving reports from veterinarians observing similar clinical signs. Moreover, the virus was recently detected in a piglet in Flanders for the first time.
Fox parvovirus is a variant of parvovirus that is genetically related to a virus previously found in fox feces in the Netherlands. Clinical signs are primarily seen in piglets, but are also being reported increasingly often in fattening pigs. The most striking signs are enlarged or bulging eyes, strabismus, redness of the skin, and hair loss. In addition, loss of condition is also reported.
Although the symptoms can be very striking, infections are generally mild. The disease does not lead to death and disappears on its own after a few weeks. According to research by the Dutch Animal Health Service (GD), the bulging eyes can remain visible for at least four weeks. The GD also reports that the symptoms were observed in at least 80% of the Dutch population over the past year.
DGZ is also now receiving reports from Flemish veterinarians observing similar symptoms. These primarily involve loss of condition and bulging eyes. Recently, the virus was also detected in a piglet from a Flemish farm. The virus was demonstrated using Pathosense on a sample from the spleen of a piglet submitted for autopsy to DGZ.
July 23, 2026/ Animal Health Care Flanders/ Belgium.
https://www.dgz.be
