Category Archives: Animal Health

The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) has updated its Fact Sheet on Getah virus (GETV). The updated GETV Fact Sheet contains details about this viral disease gleaned from a comprehensive literature review of the latest research. In the improved literature review portion of the Fact Sheet, in addition to sections on etiology, cleaning and disinfection, epidemiology, transmission, pathogenesis, diagnosis immunity, prevention, and gaps in preparedness, new sections on importance, public health, infection in swine, treatment, and history in swine have been added. As part of its mission to monitor emerging swine diseases, SHIC Fact Sheets like this one are reviewed annually and updated as needed.

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) is ranked fourth in the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) Swine Disease Matrix in large part due to the potential for the introduction of highly pathogenic PRV into the US from Asia – an event which would have a highly negative impact on pork exports. In addition, while PRV was officially eliminated from US domestic swine in 2004, it is occasionally introduced into “transitional” herds via contact with feral swine. For these reasons, improvements in PRV diagnostics, surveillance, control, and elimination remain relevant. The final report on a study conducted at Iowa State University (ISU) to evaluate the detection of PRV in swine oral fluid, providing additional testing resources using real-time PCR assays, has been posted. This research involving PCR PRV oral fluid testing was supported by a grant from SHIC.

Strep equi spp zooepidemicus (S. zoo) was added to the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) Swine Bacterial Disease Matrix in February 2021 and a fact sheet focused on S. zoo has been added to the SHIC Fact Sheet library. Drs. Raghavendra Amachawadi, Kansas State University, Maria Clavijo, Iowa State University (ISU), Rachel Derscheid, ISU, Connie Gebhart, University of Minnesota, Angela Pillatzki, South Dakota State University, and Nubia Resende-De-Macedo, ISU convened to review the Bacterial Matrix list, score S. zoo for its position on the Matrix and review the new fact sheet. Dr. Kerry Leedom-Larson, ISU, worked with SHIC to do the literature review and drafting for the S. zoo Fact Sheet.

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) caught the US pork industry by surprise. Both its virulence and widespread consequences devastated the US swine herd as well as producers’ livelihoods and damaged related industries. In response to this transboundary, emerging swine disease, the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) was launched in July 2015 by the National Pork Board (NPB). Funded by a one-time Checkoff investment of $15 million in supplemental funds, SHIC had an original life span of five years, however, was extended by NPB vote to July 2022 using existing SHIC funds. A review of the Center’s activities since inception through March 2021 captures the Checkoff return on investment for US pork producers with significant deliverables made possible only by SHIC’s nimble structure, unique responsibilities, and independence.

The Swine Health Information Center’s (SHIC) March Domestic Swine Disease Monitoring Report is available. This month’s Domestic Swine Disease Monitoring Report shows that porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus detection was similar to January 2021, with a small decrease in positivity in sow herds, but increase in wean-to-market animals. PRRSV RFLP 1-4-4 Lineage 1C variant continues to be associated with severe clinical signs, especially in grow-finish sites. There was a moderate increase in detection for porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) in wean-to-market animals. That increase was regional. There was a moderate decrease in Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. At a state level, PRRS virus detection was three standard deviations above expected in Nebraska, Ohio, and Indiana; and PDCoV was three standard deviations above expected in Kansas, Oklahoma, and North Carolina. The SDRS hosts talk with Dr. Cesar Corzo (Morrison Swine Health Monitoring Project) about his observations on recent pathogen activity in the US swine herd.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) 1-4-4 lineage 1c outbreaks in upper Midwest swine barns began in late 2020. To share information on this virulent strain impacting pork producers regionally, the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC), with co-sponsor American Association of Swine Veterinarians, offered a webinar on PRRSV 1-4-4 on February 4, 2021. SHIC also developed an episode of SHIC Talk, its podcast, posted on February 15, 2021, to share information on the PRRSv strain exhibiting dramatic clinical signs in all stages of production. In addition, completed SHIC projects focus on biosecurity that could help to prevent farm outbreaks.

Midwest veterinary diagnostic labs (VDLs) began diagnosing porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) 1-4-4 in late 2020 with practitioners and producers reporting dramatic PRRS-like clinical signs on farms. Reacting quickly to this new PRRS strain, the Swine Health Information Center, with co-sponsor American Association of Swine Veterinarians, offered a webinar on PRRSV 1-4-4 on February 4, 2021. Expert presenters on the webinar provided context from the practitioner, diagnostician, and monitoring perspectives. While 1-4-4 is not a new strain, on-farm experience with this new lineage 1c variant has shown it results in higher farrow to finish mortality, abortions, mummies, and slower growth in finishing pigs compared to other PRRSV strains.

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.

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.

The Swine Health Information Center’s (SHIC) February Domestic Swine Disease Monitoring Report is available. This month’s Domestic Swine Disease Monitoring Report shows that porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) detection had a moderate decrease from December 2020 to January 2021, mostly contributed by a substantial decrease in detection in wean-to-market animals. There was a moderate increase in detection for porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) in adult/sow farm animals. There was a moderate decrease in Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. At a state level, PDCoV detection was three standard deviations above expected in Kansas and Oklahoma. Drs. Trevisan, Magalhaes, and Linhares reflect on the main findings and contributions of the SDRS to the swine industry in 2020, and leak some of what is cooking for 2021 in the related podcast.