A SHIC-funded effort aimed at increasing swine disease awareness, prevention, and preparedness, The Early Regional Occurrence Warning project, was launched by Drs. Xiaomei Yue and Mariana Kikuti with the Morrison Swine Health Monitoring Project in September 2022. On May 9, 2023, the first TEROW report was sent to participants and will be released weekly.
Author Archives: Paul Sundberg
SHIC-Funded Study Discovers First Association Between Astrovirus and Respiratory Pathology in Pigs
A study funded by the Swine Health Information Center and conducted by Drs. Michael Rahe and Rachel Derscheid of the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Lab is the first to report astrovirus being associated with respiratory pathology in pigs. In their work, “Direct detection of porcine epitheliotropic viruses: porcine astrovirus 4, porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis, and porcine parainfluenza virus in clinical cases of undiagnosed respiratory disease,” the researchers report PoAstV4 was detected in lesions consistent with viral respiratory infection in 73% of pigs tested.
SHIC Diagnostic Fee Support Provides Answers for Nebraska Practitioner
From early 2017 to early 2019, Dr. Tom Petznick knew his client’s 4500-head farrow-to-wean swine herd had a new disease not previously seen by him or his colleagues. “We did our homework, did diagnostic testing, and found out we had something different here,” he explained. When diagnostics ruled out transboundary and emerging diseases in the herd, staff at the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Lab encouraged additional testing and suggested contacting the Swine Health Information Center to access the SHIC Diagnostic Fee Support program. With the additional funding and continued scrutiny, porcine sapovirus was discovered.
SHIC Receives Second Round of Research Proposals for Wean-to-Harvest Biosecurity Program
The Swine Health Information Center received research proposals in response to a now closed call for a second round of submissions related to its Wean-to-Harvest Biosecurity Program. The program’s objective is to investigate cost-effective and innovative technologies, protocols, or ideas to enhance biosecurity during the wean-to-harvest phases of pig production. Researchable priorities of this call included personnel biocontainment and bioexclusion, mortality management, efficiencies and alternatives to truck washing, and packing plant biocontainment.
SHIC Wean-to-Harvest Biosecurity Program RFP Round 2 Deadline Approaching
The deadline for the second round of research proposals for the Swine Health Information Center’s Wean-to-Harvest Biosecurity Program is April 28, 2023. SHIC is seeking research proposals to investigate cost-effective and innovative technologies, protocols, or ideas to enhance biosecurity during the wean-to-harvest phases of pig production. Funding for the selected proposals will be provided by SHIC, the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research, and Pork Checkoff.
National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility Tour Informs Pork Industry Representatives
Presentations by the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility directors and research leaders, in addition to touring the facility, provided important insight into potential collaboration opportunities to pork industry representatives who share a mission to protect US swine herd health. “Seeing the facility firsthand provided a valuable opportunity to learn about future capabilities, capacity, and priorities relating to US swine health,” remarked SHIC Associate Director Dr. Megan Niederwerder. The group also visited the Biosecurity Research Institute at Kansas State University and heard from leadership there before receiving a tour.
SHIC-Funded JEV Risk Assessment Update in Progress
Following the outbreak of Japanese encephalitis virus in Australia in early 2022, the Swine Health Information Center funded a study to reassess the risk of JEV introduction and establishment in the US. Dr. Natalia Cernicchiaro, Kansas State University, is leading the efforts to build on a 2018 qualitative risk assessment to estimate the risk of emergence of JEV into the US. The updated risk assessment will add information regarding transmission, establishment, and spread by incorporating the latest scientific information, and elements contributing to the risk, to improve upon the previous work.
SHIC Identifies JEV Research Gaps to Fuel Preparedness/Response Efforts
The February 2022 outbreak of Japanese encephalitis virus in Australia spurred action by animal and public health officials around the world. In the US, the pork industry began monitoring Australia’s situation and response, ramping up prevention and preparedness activities immediately. The Swine Health Information Center, along with industry partners, compiled a comprehensive list of research gaps to facilitate next steps in the ongoing efforts towards reducing the risk of JEV introduction and spread, understanding JEV’s impact on production, and investigating how on-farm factors influence JEV transmission.
SHIC Programs Highlighted at AASV Annual Meeting Underscore Mutually Beneficial Relationship
Consistent with the Swine Health Information Center’s mission to protect and enhance the health of the United States swine herd, it strives to share information and resources with those on the front lines of the swine health battle. At the recent American Association of Swine Veterinarians Annual Meeting, SHIC-funded research and programs were shared to help practitioners serve their producer customers with the latest tools for swine disease prevention, preparedness, and response. This information is also made available through other communications channels.
SHIC Releases Round 2 of Wean-to-Harvest Biosecurity Program RFPs
The Swine Health Information Center seeks a second round of research proposals to investigate cost-effective and innovative technologies, protocols, or ideas to enhance biosecurity during the wean-to-harvest phase of pig production, due April 28, 2023. Funding for the selected proposals will be provided by SHIC, the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research, and Pork Checkoff as part of SHIC’s Wean-to-Harvest Biosecurity Program to be implemented over 2023-2024. The first round of proposal solicitation, selection, and funding was completed in February.