The Swine Health Information Center’s Standardized Outbreak Investigation Program (SOIP), introduced in early 2023, includes both a downloadable standardized outbreak investigation Word-based form and a web-based application. Developed to meet an industry need for a standardized tool to conduct disease outbreak investigations, this expert-built application provides a mechanism for consistent data collection to identify gaps and drive sustainable progress on biosecurity.
For use of the web-based version, veterinarians should contact the Iowa State University-based administrator for access, a one-time process, at soip@iastate.edu.
While both a downloadable and web-based version of the Standardized Outbreak Investigation Program form is available, its developers and SHIC encourage the use of the app due to the benefits listed below:
- Centralized Information Management: All outbreak investigation data and related information (diagnostic reports, animal movement information, etc.) is stored in a centralized system for easy access and management.
- Collaborative Access: The platform allows multiple investigators and production or farm staff to access, share, and contribute to investigation forms and reports enhancing collaboration across teams.
- Automated Mapping and Weather Data Integration: The platform automatically generates maps of the site and surrounding area, allowing users to customize and edit the maps with Secure Pork Supply Biosecurity Plan symbols, which are saved with the site information. Additionally, daily local weather data for the investigation period is automatically incorporated into the investigation form.
- Customizable Investigation Forms: Users can generate investigation forms, focusing only on pathogen entry events that occurred during the investigation period for more targeted data collection.
- Built-in Biosecurity Hazard Identification Logic: The application features built-in logic to flag responses that may indicate potential biosecurity hazards, helping users proactively identify risks.
- Automated Report Generation: Completed investigation forms can be automatically compiled into comprehensive reports, streamlining the reporting process.
- Industry-Wide Learning and Improvement: By contributing data to an industry-wide database, the platform facilitates collective learning from the experiences of veterinarians and producers, accelerating the identification of biosecurity gaps across the US swine industry.
The SOIP application can be used for endemic disease prevention, preparation for seasonal disease challenges, and outbreak investigations. It can also be used by veterinarians and producers to identify and prioritize biosecurity hazards so that production systems can implement and enhance biosecurity control measures accordingly. For the future, the SOIP application helps to prepare the industry to better respond to emerging and transboundary diseases. Producers and veterinarians will be able to rapidly identify, control, and eliminate biosecurity challenges highlighted by the SOIP app through incorporation of enhanced biosecurity control measures.
The Swine Health Information Center, launched in 2015 with Pork Checkoff funding, protects and enhances the health of the US swine herd by minimizing the impact of emerging disease threats through preparedness, coordinated communications, global disease monitoring, analysis of swine health data, and targeted research investments. As a conduit of information and research, SHIC encourages sharing of its publications and research. Forward, reprint, and quote SHIC material freely. For more information, visit http://www.swinehealth.org or contact Dr. Megan Niederwerder at mniederwerder@swinehealth.org or Dr. Lisa Becton at lbecton@swinehealth.org.