Background on PCV

Updated May 14, 2010

Porcine circovirus types 1 and 2 (PCV1 and PCV2) are both small viruses composed of a single strand of circular DNA.  Both viruses are common in pigs.  Neither PCV1 nor PCV2 are known to infect or cause illness in humans, however PCV2 may cause illness in pigs.

PCV1 and PCV2 should not be confused with “PCV7” and “PCV13,” which are common abbreviations for two licensed pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, Prevnar and Prevnar 13.  These vaccines are not related to circoviruses.

Is PCV a pig material?
No.  PCV is a virus.  It is not an animal material.