Swine transportation plays a major role in spreading infectious pathogens, including African swine fever virus (ASFV). Researchers from the University of Nebraska investigated if it is possible to effectively inactivate ASFV in the presence of organic materials (feces, bedding) through the use of thermal-assisted drying and decontamination (TADD) which commonly operates at the temperature between 63°C and 71°C. Results showed power washing surfaces with room temperature water followed by baking efficiently removed contaminated material.
Author Archives: Paul Sundberg
SHIC Diagnostic Fee Assistance Fills a Gap When an Answer Is Needed
SHIC’s diagnostic fee assistance program was developed after porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2), porcine circovirus associated disease (PCVAD), porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV), porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), and Senecavirus A (SVA) outbreaks surprised the US pork industry. Controlling surprises requires diligent diagnostic effort; early recognition and characterization of emerging swine disease increases the chance for containment, elimination, or control. Dr. Kent Schwartz, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, shares two examples of how Swine Health Information Center-funded (SHIC-funded) diagnostic fee assistance led to unexpected diagnoses.
SHIC-Funded MSHMP Offered New Deliverables in 2020
The Morrison Swine Health Monitoring Project (MSHMP) helps identify industry needs via input from the project’s participants and other sources. Efforts to make the shared information more actionable to deliver increasing value to the US pork industry are shared in its recent report to the Swine Health Information Center. For example in 2020, Dr. Cesar A. Corzo, Associate Professor and Leman Chair in Swine Health and Productivity at the University of Minnesota Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, MSHMP coordinator, said they successfully built a system that allows the MSHMP team to quickly understand whether a porcine reproductive and respiratory virus (PRRSV) sequence they receive for review has been seen elsewhere. “We were able to build a robust database of PRRS sequences we can process, run a script, and tell quickly whether or not it resembles the one submitted,” he explained. “This process can give producers an answer within minutes, depending on when it was submitted.”
SHIC 2021 Plan of Work Builds on Progress and Adds New Emphases
The Swine Health Information Center’s (SHIC) 2021 Plan of Work (POW) was approved by the SHIC Board of Directors during their January 28, 2021, meeting. While SHIC’s mission remains unchanged since inception, this annual review of projects and priorities directs actions. The POW is divided into sections addressing SHIC’s priorities surrounding information sharing, risk mitigation, response, and surveillance with significant activities planned in each category. Find the entire POW here.
February 4 SHIC/AASV Webinar Addresses PRRS Strain 1-4-4 Outbreaks
The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) and American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) will host a webinar on porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) strain 1-4-4 which is making a notable appearance in veterinary diagnostic lab data The webinar will be held on Thursday, February 4, 2021, from 1:00 to 2:30 pm. Registration is now open. Dr. Mariana Kikuti, Morrison Swine Health Monitoring Project, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Giovani Trevisan, Swine Disease Reporting System, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and Dr. Stephanie Rossow, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, will present perspectives on PRRS 1-4-4.
SHIC Provides Context on Chinese ASF Outbreaks and Vaccines
Illegal African swine fever (ASF) vaccine use in China continues, creating concern in the US swine industry. Per a January 21, 2021, report by Reuters, “A new form of African swine fever identified in Chinese pig farms is most likely caused by illicit vaccines, industry insiders say… Two new strains of African swine fever have infected more than 1,000 sows on several farms owned by New Hope Liuhe, China’s fourth-largest producer, as well as pigs being fattened for the firm by contract farmers, said Yan Zhichun, the company’s chief science officer.” USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) says there is information about at least two ASF vaccines being used in China, a situation they continue to monitor and acknowledge may change. One of these vaccines circulating in China at this stage has a deletion of only the CD2 gene and the other with deletions of the CD2 and the MGF genes. Based on this information, APHIS fully expects available ASF PCR tests deployed in the US to be able to detect both vaccine strains.
February 4 SHIC/AASV Webinar Addresses PRRS Strain 1-4-4 Outbreaks
The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) and American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) will host a webinar on porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) strain 1-4-4 which is making a notable appearance in veterinary diagnostic lab data The webinar will be held on Thursday, February 4, 2021, from 1:00 to 2:30 pm. Registration is now open. Dr. Mariana Kikuti, Morrison Swine Health Monitoring Project, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Giovani Trevisan, Swine Disease Reporting System, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and Dr. Stephanie Rossow, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, will present perspectives on PRRS 1-4-4.
CBP Canine Alerts to Prohibited Pork Sausage Arriving at Newark Airport
In early January 2021, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists found 88 pounds of prohibited homemade pork sausage in luggage originating in Kosovo at the Newark Liberty International Airport. A CBP canine, Kody, examined the luggage, alerting his handler to its contents. Swine meat is prohibited from Kosovo as per 9CFR94 of USDA regulations. The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) applauds this successful event, along with hundreds of similar confiscations annually, as pork products are an identified vector for transmission of foreign animal disease, including African swine fever.
Nugent Joins SHIC Board of Directors
Russ Nugent, PhD, from northwest Arkansas has joined the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) board of directors, representing the National Pork Board (NPB). Nugent, a member of the NPB board of directors, was appointed to fill the SHIC board seat previously held by NPB board member Bill Luckey of Nebraska.
SHIC 2020 Progress Report Details Efforts to Protect US Swine Herd Health
The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) shared its 2020 Progress Report with the National Pork Board (NPB), providing details on results from activities to fulfill its mission. Among those are collaboration on domestic and international pork industry goals, supporting targeted research projects, along with monitoring swine diseases and issues around the world. “In the very short time we’ve been in existence, we have come to play such a vital role in helping defend the health of our industry,” remarked SHIC Board of Directors Chair Daryl Olsen, DVM, AMVC. “I recommend people read the progress report and evaluate our performance. After you’ve read it, you’re going to understand that we have filled a void and been very successful. We’re committed to protecting the US pig population.”