The Swine Health Information Center partnered with the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research and the Pork Checkoff to fund a $4 million research program to enhance prevention, preparedness, mitigation, and response capabilities for H5N1 influenza in the US swine herd. Announced in November 2024, the RFP invited qualified researchers to submit proposals that address the 10 H5N1 Risk to Swine research priorities outlined below. In response to the RFP which closed December 31, 2024, a total of 51 proposals were received from 35 different institutions across six countries. Proposals will undergo competitive review for funding recommendations based on value to US pork producers. This is the largest number of responses to a SHIC RFP to date.
The emergence of H5N1 Influenza A clade 2.3.4.4b in dairy cattle, persistent outbreaks in commercial poultry, and the recent identification of H5N1 in a backyard pig in Oregon highlights the potential threat to the US swine industry. Research priorities for H5N1 Risk to Swine are designed to further strengthen US swine industry prevention and preparedness as well as inform response efforts should H5N1 be introduced into the commercial swine herd.
The 51 proposals are expected to address H5N1 Risk to Swine research priorities described in the detailed Request for Research Proposals found here, including topic areas of 1) vaccines for swine, 2) clinical presentation in pigs, 3) mammary transmission, 4) diagnostic surveillance, 5) introduction and transmission risks, 6) caretakers of pigs, 7) biosecurity practices, 8) safety of pork, 9) mitigating production impact, and 10) pig movements.
Upon completion of the competitive review process, project awards are expected to be announced in spring 2025. Projects demonstrating the most urgent and timeliness of completion, providing the greatest value to US pork producers, and showing efficient use of funds are prioritized for funding. Results will be shared with producers and veterinarians as soon as they become available.
Critical research investments are necessary to understand and prevent H5N1 incursion, ensure rapid detection of H5N1 if introduced, protect animal and caretaker health, inform stakeholder response, mitigate production losses on the farm, identify effective control measures, and develop clear messaging to consumers on the safety of pork. Outcomes from the funded proposals will provide critical information that producers, veterinarians, and industry stakeholders can use to better prevent incursion and develop preparedness plans if H5N1 is identified in commercial swine herds within the US.
Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research
The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) builds public-private partnerships to fund bold research addressing big food and agriculture challenges. FFAR was established in the 2014 Farm Bill to increase public agriculture research investments, fill knowledge gaps and complement the U.S. Department Agriculture’s research agenda. FFAR’s model matches federal funding from Congress with private funding, delivering a powerful return on taxpayer investment. Through collaboration and partnerships, FFAR advances actionable science benefiting farmers, consumers and the environment.
Swine Health Information Center
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.