DES MOINES — Iowa agriculture officials say a pseudorabies response that began after the virus was detected in a small commercial swine facility has been completed, with no additional cases found and all affected farms released from quarantine.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig confirmed Monday that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has completed the response protocol outlined in USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service program standards.
The second round of testing did not reveal any additional cases, confirming that the pseudorabies virus did not spread, according to state officials.
The response followed the detection of pseudorabies virus in a small commercial swine facility on April 30, 2026. Less than 10 swine production facilities remained under quarantine afterward as state and federal officials worked through testing and disease-response procedures.
Those affected farms have now completed a second round of pseudorabies testing. All tests were negative, and the quarantined farms have been released.
Producers within the control area can now resume routine animal movements.
The state said Iowa has completed the eradication process according to USDA standards, allowing Iowa and the United States to retain pseudorabies disease-free trade status.
The outcome is significant for Iowa, the nation’s top hog-producing state. Animal disease threats can create major problems for producers, not only through animal losses and quarantines, but also through movement restrictions, trade concerns and market uncertainty.
Pseudorabies, also known as PRV, is a contagious viral disease of swine. Despite its name, it is not rabies. Swine are considered the natural host, though the virus can infect some other animals. It can be especially serious in pigs, causing reproductive, respiratory and nervous-system problems.
The disease had been eliminated from U.S. commercial swine herds in 2004 through a coordinated state, federal and industry eradication effort, but it can still be found in feral swine populations. That makes any detection in commercial swine a serious animal-health concern.
Naig said the incident is a reminder that Iowa must stay prepared for livestock disease threats.
“This situation is a great reminder that we must always be prepared to respond to animal health threats and can never get complacent in our efforts to keep these diseases out of our herds,” Naig said. “As Secretary, I will continue to protect Iowa’s livestock industry and the livelihoods of our hard-working farm families.”
State officials emphasized that pseudorabies does not pose a risk to human health or food safety. Properly prepared pork remains safe to eat.
The completed response means the immediate threat has been contained, but the incident also highlights the importance of biosecurity, rapid testing and cooperation between producers, veterinarians, state officials and federal animal-health agencies.