Porcine alphaherpesvirus 1, which is also called pseudorabies virus (PRV) or suid herpesvirus-1 (SHV-1), causes the pseudorabies disease (also known as Aujeszky's disease, and in cattle as mad itch) which is endemic in most parts of the world.

PRV is considered to be the most economically important viral disease of swine in areas where hog cholera has been eradicated. Other domestic and wild mammals, such a cattle, sheep, dogs, raccoons are also suscetible. The disease is usually fatal in these hosts.

Research on PRV in pigs has pioneered animal disease control with genetically modified vaccines. PRV is now extensively studied as a model for basic processes during lytic herpesvirus infection, and for unravelling molecular mechanisms of herpesvirus neurotropism.