The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) continues to receive questions about African swine fever (ASF) prevention and preparedness progress at home as well as what is happening around the world. Canada’s Swine Innovation Porc hosted a webinar titled, “African Swine Fever: How Is Canada Getting Prepared?” in January 2021 and invited SHIC Executive Director Dr. Paul Sundberg to be a presenter. While Dr. Sundberg discussed US-focused efforts, he emphasized the collaborative nature of several projects, saying it is a North American swine industry in many respects. Other presenters shared information on Canadian African swine fever (ASF) research priorities, actions, diagnostics, risk mitigation, and emergency euthanasia. These experts represent key Canadian pork-related agencies, businesses, and councils.
Author Archives: Paul Sundberg
SHIC/AASV Astrovirus Type 3 Webinar Provides Insight on Management and Diagnostics
During a webinar sponsored by the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) and American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV), practitioners and diagnosticians discussed porcine astrovirus type 3 (PoAstV3) which has been causing central nervous system (CNS) disease for at least a decade. Disease can be difficult to diagnose and manage. PoAstV3, spread by the fecal-oral route, has been associated with paresis, paralysis, knuckling, incoordination, and lateral recumbency in pigs at various production stages. Click here to access the webinar.
SHIC/AASV Sponsored Astrovirus Type 3 Webinar Set for December 10
The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) is again joining with the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) to sponsor a webinar on a timely swine health issue. On December 10, 2020, from 10:00 to 11:30 am, a webinar on astrovirus type 3 will feature Dr. Kayla Henness, The Maschoffs, Dr. Fabio Vannucci, University of Minnesota, and Dr. Bailey Arruda, Iowa State University. Registration for the webinar, which is required, is open.
SHIC’s Rapid Response Corps Drill Ensures Preparedness
The Swine Health Information Center’s Rapid Response Program (SHIC’s RRP) is an important part of SHIC-supported emerging disease preparedness. It’s designed for epidemiological investigations of transboundary or newly emerging swine diseases and is carried out by the Rapid Response Corps (RRC), a volunteer team of specifically-trained industry experts who analyze the patterns and pathways of entry of disease causing pathogens in affected herds. The first training for Corps members began in August 2017 and SHIC recently conducted refresher activities for all RRC Investigators to assure they maintain an understanding of the Program’s processes, timelines, and methodologies.
SHIC/AASV Sponsored Astrovirus Type 3 Webinar Set for December 10
The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) is again joining with the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) to sponsor a webinar on a timely swine health issue. On December 10, 2020, from 10:00 to 11:30 am, a webinar on astrovirus type 3 will feature Dr. Kayla Henness, The Maschoffs, Dr. Fabio Vannucci, University of Minnesota, and Dr. Bailey Arruda, Iowa State University. Registration for the webinar, which is required, is open.
SHIC/AASV Sponsored Astrovirus Type 3 Webinar Set for December 10
The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) is again joining with the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) to sponsor a webinar on a timely swine health issue. On December 10, 2020, from 10:00 to 11:30 am, a webinar on astrovirus type 3 will feature Dr. Kayla Henness, The Maschoffs, Dr. Fabio Vannucci, University of Minnesota, and Dr. Bailey Arruda, Iowa State University. Registration for the webinar, which is required, is open.
African Swine Fever Project in Vietnam Progresses Despite COVID-19 Pandemic
In 2019, the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC), with active support from the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), received a grant from USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service division to fund a multi-phase project including African swine fever (ASF) field projects in Vietnam during the outbreak there. Objectives of these researchable priorities are helping Vietnamese response and recovery from the ASF epidemic as well as helping US pork producers learn lessons about ASF epidemiology and management. Despite challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, progress continues on each of the related projects.
SHIC-Funded Global Swine Disease Monitoring Report Delivers Near-Real Time Disease Info
The US pork industry remains vulnerable to the introduction of a variety of foreign animal and production diseases. The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) recognized the importance of developing systems to provide international situational awareness in near-real time for these pathogens, and funded a near real-time Global Swine Disease Monitoring Report (GSDMR) system to collect and disseminate this information. In particular, the project has tracked the expansion of African swine fever (ASF) through Asia and Europe. And a new “Focus on…” section will raise awareness about specific international swine disease risks. The GSDMR project was recently reviewed by SHIC and funding renewed so it will continue through 2021.
Farm-level Outbreak Forecasting Expands to New Regions through SHIC-Funded Project
The swine industry understands the epidemiology of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSv) better than ever. Still, the ability of producers to effectively estimate spatial and temporal variation in disease outbreak risk is lacking. By using data contributed by the Morrison Swine Health Monitoring Project (MSHMP), researchers at the University of Minnesota (UMN) built machine learning algorithms that predict whether a sow farm will break with PEDv two weeks in advance.
SHIC/AASV Webinar Series: Seeking Your Input
The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) and American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) jointly sponsor a webinar series on swine health “industry chatter” topics. With almost all industry meetings either canceled or gone virtual, the opportunity to talk in person with colleagues about issues affecting health has diminished greatly. So having a new opportunity for conversation is helpful. The next webinar, topic to be determined, is scheduled for December 10, 2020, at 10:00 am CST. SHIC and AASV would like your input on what topic to address!