Confirmation of African swine fever (ASF) on three farms in eastern Germany, where restriction zones already exist, was widely reported in industry press the week of July 12, 2021. The Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI) confirmed the diagnoses. The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) continues to monitor the situation and will have detailed information in the August Global Swine Disease Monitoring Report to be published in the Center’s newsletter on August 4, 2021. All three affected farms are near the border with Poland.
Author Archives: Paul Sundberg
SHIC/AASV Webinar July 20 – PRRS 1-4-4 Incidence and Response
The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) and American Association of Swine Veterinarians invite you to participate in this webinar on PRRS 1-4-4. As noted in the July SHIC Domestic Swine Disease Monitoring Report, detection of the PRRSV RFLP 1-4-4 L1C variant strain continues. This webinar will include outcomes and discussion about SHIC Rapid Response Teams’ investigations into possible pathways of the virus entering farms and updates on incidence and geographic distribution. Register here.
SHIC-Funded ASF Study on Test-and-Remove Protocol in Vietnam Finds it Unreliable
Another research project on African swine fever (ASF) in Vietnam, made possible by a USDA Foreign Agricultural Service grant obtained by the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) with support from the National Pork Producers Council, is complete. This project examined an ASFV control measure involving a tooth extraction, or test-and-remove, protocol. Commonly, a tooth extraction protocol for a sow farm involves removing any sow exhibiting clinical signs compatible with ASF along with the two sows in stalls on each side of the index animal. The results of this study suggest tooth extraction test-and-remove is not a reliable way to eliminate ASF from a pig farm.
SHIC-Funded Research Identifies Potential Role of PPV2 in PRDC Development
Discovered in 2001, porcine parvovirus 2 (PPV2) is prevalent in swine worldwide. A recently completed Swine Health Information Center (SHIC)-funded research project on PPV2 confirmed the high prevalence of PPV2 in diseased pigs and provided insight into its significance in porcine respiratory disease complex (PRDC). Results supported PPV2 as one of the primary viral pathogens in the natural development of PRDC, particularly in weaned to finishing pigs.
Updated SHIC Sapelovirus Fact Sheet Addresses Prevalence and Diagnostics
Porcine sapelovirus (PSV), an enteric picornavirus of swine, has been detected in healthy pigs as well as pigs with diarrhea, neurological, reproductive, and respiratory disease. An outbreak of polioencephalomyelitis occurred in US swine in 2016, with reported morbidity and case fatality rates of 20% and 30%, respectively. Intravaginal and intrauterine inoculation of gilts at day 30 of gestation leads to 94% fetal mortality. The role of PSV as a pathogen, and more specifically as a cause of polioencephalomyelitis, is unclear. PSV is commonly isolated from the intestinal tract of healthy swine, and it is often found with other enteric pathogens. An updated Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) Fact Sheet on PSV has been posted and includes new information on prevalence and diagnostics, as well a description of an outbreak of PSV-associated polioencephalomyelitis in the US.
See Something? Say Something! SHIC Version
Reports of a mystery swine disease in the Dominican Republic were noticed by the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC), with the help of the National Pork Producers Council and the US Animal Health Association, in late June this year. Found in local press from the island nation, the description painted a severe picture of unique swine illness. SHIC reached out to USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) for more information, concerned about a novel swine disease and its potential impact on the US herd. APHIS in turn contacted international resources for more information. APHIS learned the initial press report was exaggerated and shared this information with SHIC, relieving concern. However, APHIS also reports they will continue to follow the situation until a firm diagnosis is achieved.
SHIC Porcine Kobuvirus Fact Sheet Receives Detailed Update
A major update of the Swine Health Information Center’s (SHIC’s) porcine kobuvirus (PKV) fact sheet has been posted. PKV, originally detected in baby pigs in Hungary in 2008, is an enteric picornavirus found nearly worldwide in both in healthy pigs and pigs with diarrhea. It was first diagnosed in the US in 2013. PKV infection is most often a mild diarrheal disease with piglets of less than four weeks of age most likely to be infected. Prevalence in domestic pigs ranges from 13 to 99%. In China, PKV was implicated as the cause of diarrhea, dehydration, and vomiting in piglets which resulted in morbidity of 80 to 100% and mortality of 50 to 90%, beginning in 2010. Disease is less common in older animals. The significantly revised PKV fact sheet includes refreshed taxonomy, epidemiology, and diagnostics sections as well as new information on experimental infection. To date, the importance of PKV as a swine pathogen remains unclear.
USDA Adds Blood Swabs and Spots as Official ASF Testing Tissues
The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) learned the USDA has approved blood swabs and spots as samples for official African swine fever (ASF) testing during foreign animal disease (FAD) investigations. These are an important addition to antemortem samples previously approved since August 2018; the full list of approved samples includes whole blood, tonsil, spleen, lymph node, spleen swabs, blood swabs and blood spots. While important additions, more work needs to be done to fully integrate blood swabs and blood spots into the ASF/CSF active surveillance program as well as the ASF Red Book. The process is ongoing. SHIC will continue to monitor developments and share progress with stakeholders interested in ASF testing protocols.
SHIC Pursues Information on Novel Rotavirus to Determine Risk to US Swine Herd
The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) monitors emerging swine disease threats, engaging experts on preparedness, response, and possible actions needed on behalf of the US pork industry. Recently, SHIC inquired with experts regarding a novel rotavirus affecting foals in Kentucky this spring. After consideration, those experts, Drs. Feng Li, University of Kentucky (UK) Gluck Equine Research Center, along with swine experts Albert Rovira, University of Minnesota, Ben Hause, South Dakota State University, and Eric Burrough, Iowa State University, conferred with SHIC and determined there was no need for action as the virus was not a threat to pork production.
SHIC Acts on Diagnosis of Novel Morbillivirus in Pigs
The Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Lab (ISU VDL) received 22 porcine fetuses from six litters originating in Mexico in the spring of 2020. After extensive testing for known pathogens, metagenomics sequencing identified a new virus in the genus of Morbillivirus. ISU VDL staff named it porcine morbillivirus (PoMV) and conducted an initial study providing some insight into the outbreak. Subsequently, these researchers sought funds to isolate PoMV and determine presence/incidence of the virus in the US swine population. The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) Monitoring and Analysis Working Group reviewed and approved the ISU VDL funding request for further study on PoMV as part of its ongoing mission to protect and enhance US swine herd health with a focus on emerging and transboundary swine disease prevention, preparedness, and response.