The term "hog cholera" refers to a highly contagious viral disease affecting pigs, also known as classical swine fever. Its spelling can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), which transcribes the pronunciation of the word as /hɒɡ kɒlɪrə/. The first part - "hog" - is pronounced with a short o sound, followed by a hard g. The second part - "cholera" - is pronounced with the second syllable stressed and a soft ch sound, followed by a long e and a soft r.
Hog cholera, also known as Classical Swine Fever (CSF), is a highly contagious viral disease that affects domestic pigs and wild boars. It is caused by the Classical Swine Fever Virus (CSFV), a member of the Pestivirus genus in the Flaviviridae family. Hog cholera primarily affects pigs, and it is not transmissible to humans.
The disease is characterized by various clinical symptoms, including high fever, loss of appetite, depression, diarrhea, vomiting, respiratory issues, and skin lesions. Infected animals may also show signs of reproductive disorders, such as abortion or stillbirths. The severity of symptoms can vary depending on the specific strain of the virus and the age and immune status of the affected pigs.
Transmission of hog cholera occurs through direct contact with infected animals, consumption of contaminated feed or water, and exposure to secretions such as saliva or urine. The virus can also be spread by contaminated fomites such as equipment, vehicles, or clothing.
Hog cholera poses a significant threat to the swine industry due to its ability to spread rapidly and cause high mortality rates in infected herds. Its impact on the economy, trade restrictions, and animal welfare is substantial. Control measures include strict biosecurity protocols, vaccination, quarantine, and culling of infected animals. Eradication programs have been implemented in many countries to combat the disease and prevent its further spread.
• A specific contagious disease of swine marked by inflammation of the lungs and of the intestine; swine plague, pneumoenteritis, erysipelas malignum.
• An infectious disease of swine marked by hemorrhagic inflammation of the lymphatic glands, lungs, intestine, liver, and kidney. The disease is now believed not to be caused by the Bacillus choleroe suis or B. suipestifer, but to be due to some ultramicroscopic organism, possibly protozoan.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "hog cholera" has a relatively straightforward etymology.
The term "hog" refers to a domesticated pig, commonly known as a hog or a pig. This word has Old English roots, with various Germanic and Norse influences, and is ultimately derived from the Proto-Germanic word "khuhaz".
The term "cholera" is derived from the Greek word "kholera", which means "a disease characterized by diarrhea". It can be traced back to the Greek word "khole", meaning "bile". The concept of cholera as a disease causing severe diarrhea is associated with ancient medical observations of excessive yellowish-green bile discharge during fatal diarrheal illnesses.
Combining these two terms, "hog cholera" refers to a disease that affects pigs, characterized by symptoms such as high fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, and diarrhea.