LANSING -- The Michigan Department of Agriculture's Geagley Laboratory confirmed pseudorabies virus infection in 19 sport swine on a privately owned facility in Saginaw County.

Pseudorabies is a highly contagious viral disease of swine that causes newborn piglets to die. Rarely, the disease can cause sudden death in cats and dogs and can affect cattle, sheep and deer.

"We must protect Michigan's $230 million swine industry," said Don Koivisto, MDA director. "Michigan achieved PRV-free status in 2000, and the ability of this disease to be spread by feral hogs to other animals could be a risk to the swine industry."

Officials said that all swine on the Saginaw County cervid facility will be captured and destroyed. Any farms that sold to, or received, live swine from the undisclosed facility will also be quarantined and tested.

The virus does not cause illness in humans and is not related to rabies.