Sporadic outbreaks of Senecavirus A (SVA) continue to occur in U.S. swine and cause an economic burden for pig farmers and pork production companies. Besides the impact on herd health and performance, SVA vesicular disease has also been causing a record-breaking number of USDA foreign animal disease (FAD) investigations. During 2018, over 75% of USDA FAD investigations (1,592 of 2,072 total) were due to swine vesicular diseases.
The University of Minnesota Swine Group has been studying SVA disease dynamics in populations. Recently, preliminary data from an SVA outbreak investigation in a sow herd revealed that SVA RNA was consistently detected in processing fluids 13 days before and 30 days after the outbreak, with the last positive PCR result 54 days post-outbreak. Furthermore, piglet mortality was over 32% during the first two weeks of the outbreak. More data is needed to better characterize viral dynamics and shedding patterns in breeding herds. Therefore, we aim to further our understanding of within-herd SVA epidemiology by estimating the average time to negative for SVA PCR tests of processing fluids after an outbreak and also describe production losses in enrolled farms.
We are currently seeking breeding farms to enroll in a new AASV Foundation-funded research project. Specifically, we are seeking sow farms that have recently had an SVA outbreak that we can monitor through processing fluids. There is funding available to cover costs for SVA PCR testing and sample shipping. Creating a research partnership with you is our priority and your confidentiality is guaranteed.
If interested in learning more about enrolling your herd in this SVA study, please e-mail us!
Dr. Guilherme Preis, Graduate Research Associate (milan060@umn.edu)
Dr. Cesar Corzo, Principal Investigator (corzo@umn.edu)