Many countries around the world are currently facing ongoing outbreaks of African swine fever. This viral hemorrhagic disease has a mortality rate of nearly 100% among both domestic and wild pigs, and at the moment no effective vaccine or treatment. While ASF does not pose a threat to human health, it causes significant economic losses, […]
Category Archives: Foreign Animal Disease
Protect Pigs? Snap a Pic for Your Chance to Win
Submit a photo that shows you and your swine following biosecurity best practices for a chance to be featured on [USDA’s] site and socials! Enter the “I Protect Pigs” photo contest to show how you keep your farm free of African swine fever. Submissions accepted until February 14 at midnight (EDT). These are all picture-perfect ways to safeguard your […]
For Comment: AVMA Depopulation Guidelines, Due Jan 30
Proposed updates to the AVMA Guidelines for the Depopulation of Animals are available for review and commenting by AVMA members. Comments must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Central Time on January 30, 2025. Draft AVMA Depopulation Guidelines (AVMA login required.) The AASV Pig Welfare Committee has reviewed the updates and drafted comments. These are available […]
For Comment: AVMA Depopulation Guidelines, Due Jan 30
Proposed updates to the AVMA Guidelines for the Depopulation of Animals are available for review and commenting by AVMA members. Comments must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Central Time on January 30, 2025. Draft AVMA Depopulation Guidelines (AVMA login required.) The AASV Pig Welfare Committee has reviewed the updates and is drafting comments. These will […]
SHIC Update on Recent Detection of FMDV Serotype O in Germany
SHIC actively monitors global swine diseases as part of its mission to enhance swine health through the identification and mitigation of emerging disease threats. On January 10, 2025, Germany confirmed its first outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) since 1988. The outbreak was detected in a herd of water buffalo in the Märkisch-Oderland district of […]
World Organisation for Animal Health Reports Recurrence of Foot-and-Mouth Disease in Germany
The World Organisation for Animal Health’s World Animal Health Information System has reported (1/10/2025) that a case of foot-and-mouth disease has been confirmed in Germany, the first in nearly 40 years. This is the first detection of FMD in Germany since January 31, 1988. See the WOAH posting here. According to a Reuters news report, FMD was […]
Beagle Brigade Act Signed into Law, Boosting Efforts to Keep Out Foreign Animal Diseases
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) commended President Biden for signing into law the Beagle Brigade Act. The Beagle Brigade Act provides statutory authority and reliable funding to the National Detector Dog Training Center. “Pork producers employ a variety of biosecurity measures to keep foreign animal diseases, like African swine fever, out of our herds. Further away at […]
USDA Approves Emergency Funding to Protect U.S. Livestock and Animals from New World Screwworm
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is announcing $165 million in emergency funding from the Commodity Credit Corporation to protect U.S. livestock and other animals from New World screwworm (NWS) and to increase USDA’s ongoing efforts to control the spread of NWS in Mexico and Central America. NWS […]
New Tests Detect African Swine Fever on Surfaces
Kansas State University researchers have published the findings of a study that looks at a seemingly simple way to add another layer of protection for the U.S. swine industry against a crippling, viral disease. K-State Swine Production Specialist and Veterinarian Jordan Gebhardt said scientists have used some common household items to test their ability to […]
SHIC/FFAR Fund Six Japanese Encephalitis Virus Research Projects
The Swine Health Information Center and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research have recently funded six new projects to enhance US prevention, preparedness, mitigation and response capabilities for Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). As a transboundary disease risk for US introduction, JEV is transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitos and can cause reproductive failure, […]