Japanese encephalitis virus, a transboundary emerging disease risk for US introduction, carries with it potential economic implications greater than $500 million per a recent economic assessment white paper (Cook et al., 2024). Transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitos, JEV can cause severe disease in pigs, horses, and humans. While historically endemic to Asian and western Pacific regions, the 2022 JEV outbreak in Australia raised concerns of a renewed threat to the US pig industry and public health.
Category Archives: Animal Health
SHIC-Funded Assessment Identifies US South as Highest Risk Region for JEV Introduction and Transmission
Global swine disease monitoring identified Japanese encephalitis virus, a transboundary disease transmitted by Culex mosquitos, as an emerging threat to the US swine industry. The 2022 JEV outbreak in Australia heightened the need to define the risk this virus poses to US pork production, informing prevention, preparedness, and response efforts. In 2022, the Swine Health Information Center funded a study led by Dr. Natalia Cernicchiaro, Kansas State University, in collaboration with researchers at the USDA ARS Foreign Arthropod-borne Animal Diseases Research Unit, to update her group’s 2018 qualitative assessment estimating the risk of JEV emergence and subsequent transmission in the continental US. Incorporating the latest scientific information and elements into the new study, the updated semi-quantitative assessment evaluated the risk of JEV introduction into seven US regions, its subsequent spread, and economic impact. Study results found the overall risk, reflecting the rate of introduction and economic impact of a JEV incursion, was non-negligible for the south, west, midwest, and northeast regions.
Strain of Avian Influenza Found in Dairy Cattle
There has been a recent disease event in dairy cattle with reports of affected herds in several states. Samples submitted from dairy cattle affected with the current disease outbreak were recently confirmed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to have highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). It is too soon to predict if all of the recent reports of unexplained illnesses in dairy cattle in the U.S. are due to HPAI. Veterinarians and the dairy industry are working collaboratively with state and federal officials during the ongoing investigation.
New Informative Tool for Swine Veterinarians, Producers and Stakeholders
The Swine Disease Reporting System is introducing the SDRS PRRSV BLAST tool, a one-of-a-kind implementation of a Basic Local Alignment Search Tool specific to the PRRSV ORF5 sequences. The tool’s focus is to help answer spatiotemporal questions regarding query sequences and detect any new sequences entering the SDRS database.
March Domestic Swine Disease Monitoring Report Now Available
The Swine Health Information Center’s (SHIC) March Domestic Swine Disease Monitoring Report is available.
APHIS Bolsters Animal Health Surveillance with Funding for Unexplained Morbidity or Mortality Investigations
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announces a collaboration with the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) to bolster national animal health preparedness. This vital $1 million in funding supports rapid investigations of unexplained morbidity or mortality events, or UMEs, in animals – unexpected deaths or illnesses that could signal emerging threats. This proactive approach to surveillance strengthens APHIS’ commitment to safeguarding animal health across the nation.
SHIC/AASV Porcine Circovirus-Focused Webinar Provides Timely Updates
On February 6, 2024, the Swine Health Information Center along with the American Association of Swine Veterinarians offered a webinar focused on emerging trends of porcine circovirus. Expert presenters provided the latest information on porcine circovirus including domestic and global distribution, new research updates, diagnostic trends, sample types submitted for surveillance, interpretation of test results, and practitioner perspectives for disease management strategies.
PRRS Virus-resistant Nucleus Herd Ready for Breeding upon Regulatory Approval
Van Eenennaam details global research in livestock gene editing, expensive process to FDA approval.
NASDA Conference Addresses mRNA Vaccines
During this week’s 2024 Winter Policy Conference, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture members adopted 11 policy amendments and four action items, addressing issues such as mRNA vaccines, agricultural labor shortages and meat and poultry inspection programs.
What’s PEDV really costing pork producers?
Since porcine epidemic diarrhea virus entered the U.S. swine herd in 2013, it’s been an industry battle, both good and bad, says Bill Hollis. However, the veterinarian with Carthage Veterinary Service and founding partner of Professional Swine Management, says it’s time to reexamine the actual cost of PEDV to pork production systems and the benefits to eliminating the virus.