PMWS is a recently described disease of growing pigs characterized by progressive weight loss and chronic pneumonia. PMWS was first identified in western Canada in 1995, and has been diagnosed in USA, Europe, and Asia PMWS is a particular severe problem in UK, France, and Spain. The World Organization for Animal Health (Office International des Epizooties - OIE) is considering adding PMWS to the list of pig diseases that must be declared internationally by infected countries in order to control international spread by traded. Listing of PMWS might be approved by the International Committee of OIE at the next review in May 2002. If so, the 158 member countries of OIE would be required report any occurrence of PMWS and possibly also obey surveillance criteria when trading pigs and pig products. (omitted)