The Swine Health Information Center’s (SHIC) March Domestic Swine Disease Monitoring Report is available.
Author Archives: Paul Sundberg
SHIC-AASV Webinar Shares Perspectives on Emerging PRRS Virus Strains
As PRRSV strains continue to affect pork production in the US and around the world, SHIC and AASV held a webinar on February 21, 2023, to provide the latest information on challenges caused by emerging strains of this virus. Webinar presenters addressed the PRRSV L1C variant of RFLP 1-4-4 and PRRSV L1C 1-2-4 affecting the US swine population, and Rosalia, a PRRSV-1 strain with increased virulence affecting swine production in Spain. SHIC’s mission includes sharing global disease risk and perspectives like these surrounding PRRSV in the effort to safeguard US swine herd health.
SHIC Announces Wean-to-Harvest Biosecurity Program Round One Projects
Ten research projects have been funded as part of the Swine Health Information Center’s Wean-to-Harvest Biosecurity Program in collaboration with the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research and the Pork Checkoff. Each project is designed to achieve the objectives of cost-effective, innovative solutions for a significant biosecurity gap in U.S. swine production. Institutions receiving awards in this first round of funding are Iowa State University, Carthage Veterinary Service, North Carolina State University, the University of Minnesota, and Swine Vet Center. Real-time results of round one projects will be shared as quickly as they become available, and another planned proposal solicitation round will be coming soon to seek further projects addressing the research priorities identified by industry task forces.
SHIC and CEID Welcome Ideas for JEV Information Website
In October 2022, the Swine Health Information Center joined with the Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia to host a symposium entitled Japanese Encephalitis Virus: Emerging Global Threat to Humans & Livestock. One of the initiatives that came from the symposium was an agreement between SHIC and CEID to build and launch a JEV Information Sharing Network website. The objective is to have an immediate JEV information resource that can answer the pork industry’s initial questions and needs if JEV enters the US. Your input for content on the site is invited and welcomed.
SHIC Applauds Ramped-Up USDA APHIS ASF Outreach
Following detection of African swine fever in the Caribbean in 2021, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service further increased efforts to protect US swine from the transboundary disease. Two outreach campaigns designed to increase awareness were launched. The Swine Health Information Center appreciates their work to target international travelers as well as pork producers, veterinarians, and pig owners. The following overview of activities was provided by APHIS.
SHIC Drives Standardized Outbreak Investigation Instrument Development
A standardized outbreak investigation instrument has been developed in response to an industry need for a consistent tool for these efforts. Development of the instrument has been led by Dr. Derald Holtkamp, Iowa State University, and collaborators. Prompted and funded by the Swine Health Information Center, the new instrument is available for download and use from the SHIC website and a web-based version will be launched this spring.
SHIC-AASV Webinar Will Address Emerging PRRS Virus Strains L1C 1-2-4 and Rosalia
Emerging diseases sometimes come with familiar names coupled with increased risk and need for response. In the US, the PRRSV L1C variant of RFLP 1-4-4 has been a significant challenge in the Upper Midwest for two years and now PRRSV L1C 1-2-4 has become a concern. In Spain, a PRRSV strain with increased virulence known as Rosalia has affected production since 2020. SHIC, with AASV and Iowa State University’s Swine Medicine Education Center, will host a webinar on emerging PRRSV strains on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at 11:00 am CT.
SHIC 2023 Plan of Work Builds on Progress and Adds New Emphases
The Swine Health Information Center’s 2023 Plan of Work was approved by the SHIC Board of Directors during their January 27, 2023, meeting. SHIC’s mission remains to protect and enhance the health of the United States swine herd; this annual review of projects and priorities directs actions for the upcoming year.
CBP Establishes Public Interdiction Reporting Dashboard
SHIC, along with the National Pork Board, National Pork Producers Council, and American Association of Swine Veterinarians, has been working with U.S. Customs and Border Protection on efforts to prevent entry of foreign animal disease vectors to the US through screening and awareness. CBP Office of Field Operations, Acting Executive Director Dina Amato shares that “as part of our enduring mission priorities, CBP is responsible for facilitating lawful trade and protecting revenue, which relies on enhancing public and private partnerships that are integral elements of the agriculture safeguarding continuum.” As part of the ongoing process, CBP has recently launched a Public Interdiction Reporting Dashboard.
SHIC-AASV Webinar Will Address Emerging PRRS Virus Strains L1C 1-2-4 and Rosalia
Emerging diseases sometimes come with familiar names coupled with increased risk and need for response. In the US, the PRRSV L1C variant of RFLP 1-4-4 has been a significant challenge in the Upper Midwest for two years and now PRRSV L1C 1-2-4 has become a concern. In Spain, a PRRSV strain with increased virulence known as Rosalia has affected production since 2020. SHIC, with AASV and Iowa State University’s Swine Medicine Education Center, will host a webinar on emerging PRRSV strains on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at 11:00 am CT.