Up-to-Date SHIC Disease Monitoring Reports Posted

Recently updated domestic and global disease monitoring reports have been posted on the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) website. In the domestic report, it was noted there has been a recent increase in cases testing positive for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus by rRT-PCR. The domestic disease monitoring project advisory group reached consensus this is possibly due to increased use of processing fluid to monitor sow herds and increased PRRS virus activity in grow/finish pigs. The global report included information on the addition of Hungary as the seventh country in the European Union with African Swine Fever (ASF) in April. ASF was found in a wild boar a considerable distance from known infected populations in the central European nation. Local authorities report the disease was probably introduced through infected food waste.

Domestically, the report says deltacoronavirus activity continues high relative to predicted values based on previous years. Partial data, with relatively small numbers, for spring 2018 indicates a 30 to 40 percent increase in central nervous system (CNS) disease compared to spring months of 2017. Streptoccocus suis has been the main pathogen associated with CNS disease.

The May domestic swine disease monitoring report PRRS data now includes information from the Iowa State University and University of Minnesota veterinary diagnostic labs. Work to integrate other disease information and laboratories into the report continues.

The global swine disease monitoring system was initially being tested for the three tier-1 foreign swine diseases (ASF, classic swine fever, foot-and-mouth disease). Effective this month, searches for porcine rotavirus, porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, and Aujeszky’s disease/pseudorabies began. However, no relevant news items indicating new emergence were identified for any of those diseases.

To implement infectious disease control and management, precise, science-based information is required. SHIC conceptualized and funded these two systems for near real-time domestic and global swine disease monitoring to enable better, faster, and more effective response to endemic or foreign infectious diseases. By funding these projects, SHIC helps the industry toward better swine health information to positively impact the long-term sustainability of pork production. The result is a stronger, more vibrant US pork industry.

SHIC encourages feedback on the reports. Please share your thoughts on content, format, and suggestions to make it better. Email SHIC Executive Director Dr. Paul Sundberg at [email protected].

Funded by America’s pork producers to protect and enhance the health of the US swine herd, the Swine Health Information Center focuses its efforts on prevention, preparedness, and response. As a conduit of information and research, SHIC encourages sharing of its publications and research for the benefit of swine health. Forward, reprint, and quote SHIC material freely. For more information, visit https://www.swinehealth.org or contact Dr. Paul Sundberg at p[email protected].