The Swine Health Information Center is co-hosting a special session entitled, “Novel Tools & Technologies to Address Emerging Diseases of Swine” at the upcoming NAPRRS/NC229 International Conference of Swine Viral Diseases (ICSVD) scheduled for January 16 – 17, 2026, in Chicago, IL. This annual educational symposium draws together academic researchers, industry professionals, veterinarians, producers, and swine disease diagnosticians to present the latest research results and advances in emerging viruses, swine health, biosecurity, diagnostics, and applied swine disease management on the farm.
SHIC has invited four principal investigators and two graduate students to provide project updates and research results from SHIC-funded studies. Coordinated communication and broad dissemination of swine health information to industry stakeholders is part of SHIC’s mission to minimize the impact of emerging disease threats. Working with the NAPRRS/NC229 Planning Committee offers the opportunity to expand SHIC’s reach by sharing outcomes from studies conducted because of the Center’s research priorities. Moderating the session will be Dr. Megan Niederwerder, SHIC’s Executive Director, and Dr. Lisa Becton, SHIC’s Associate Director.
Topics and presenters for the SHIC special session at the NAPRRS/NC229 Symposium include:
SHIC’s Role in Mitigating Emerging Disease Threats – Dr. Megan Niederwerder and Dr. Lisa Becton
Evaluating H5N1 Risk to Swine: Mammary Transmission and Clinical Presentation in Lactating Sows – Dr. Cody Warren, The Ohio State University
Vector Competence and JEV Pathogenesis & Immunity in Domestic Pigs – Dr. Angela Bosco-Lauth, Colorado State University
Design and Evaluation of an Autonomous LAMP-based Viral Smoke Detector for Onsite Monitoring of Emerging Viruses in Swine Farms – Dr. Igor Paprotny, University of Illinois, Chicago
Improving Next-generation Sequencing for Detection of Emerging Swine Viruses – Dr. Leonardo Caserta, Cornell University
Lightning Talks:
Assessing Viral Environmental Contamination in Mortality Management Structures – Rafael Medeiros de Ávila Melo, University of Minnesota
Assessment of Viral Contamination in Trailers During Pig Unloading at a Harvest Facility – Lucas Ferreira, University of Minnesota
Launched in 2003 as the International PRRS Symposium, the NAPRRS/NC229 ICSVD has continually strengthened collaboration within the international swine-disease community. What began as a gathering focused on PRRS has evolved into a comprehensive forum addressing other emerging and transboundary viral diseases affecting global pork production. For those interested in attending, complete information on registration and hotel accommodation can be found here.
The Swine Health Information Center, launched in 2015 with Pork Checkoff funding, protects and enhances the health of the US swine herd by minimizing the impact of emerging disease threats through preparedness, coordinated communications, global disease monitoring, analysis of swine health data, and targeted research investments. As a conduit of information and research, SHIC encourages sharing of its publications and research. Forward, reprint, and quote SHIC material freely. For more information, visit http://www.swinehealth.org or contact Dr. Megan Niederwerder at [email protected] or Dr. Lisa Becton at [email protected].
