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.
The Swine Health Information Center in collaboration with the American Association of Swine Veterinarians will host a webinar titled Emerging Risk of New World Screwworm and Efforts to Prevent Re-introduction into the US. The webinar will be held on Friday, June 13, 2025, from 10:00 am to 11:30 am CDT.
In November 2024, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service was notified by Mexican officials of a positive detection of New World screwworm in Mexico. NWS is a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals, causing serious wounds, infection, and even animal death. First discovered in a cow in the southern Mexico state of Chiapas, NWS has moved north to Oaxaca and Veracruz, within 700 miles of the US/Mexico border. As of May 11, 2025, US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins issued a suspension of live cattle, horse, and bison imports through US ports of entry along the southern border due to the continued and rapid northward spread of NWS in Mexico.
The intent of the webinar is to provide the latest information on NWS, including an overview of the parasite, the fly lifecycle, clinical signs of infestation, the status of NWS in Mexico, and efforts to mitigate incursion into the US. Join experts during this webinar as they share information on NWS and how it could impact the US pork industry.
Confirmed presenters include:
Cody Egnor, DVM, Veterinary Medical Officer, United States Department of Agriculture – Overview of NWS, status of detection in Mexico and current USDA response and mitigation efforts
Kathy Simmons, DVM, Chief Veterinarian, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association – A cattle producer perspective of the emerging risk and impact for incursion of NWS into the US
Trey James, DVM and/or Nancy Adams, DVM, Texas Animal Health Commission Epidemiology Department – State animal health official response efforts for outreach, prevention and preparedness against NWS
Moisés Vargas-Terán, DVM, International Animal Health Expert consultant for OMSA, FAO, IAEA, WHO, and the IDB – Technical Overview of NWS Control: Veterinary and Producer Perspectives in Mexico
Influenza A virus is a significant respiratory pathogen affecting various species, including swine. The dynamics and diversity of IAV require ongoing surveillance to enhance understanding and generate solutions for control. A recent publication, led by PhD student Dr. Daniel Moraes under the mentorship of Swine Disease Reporting System Principal Investigators Drs. Giovani Trevisan and Daniel Linhares at Iowa State University, reported influenza surveillance data gathered from the SDRS, a project funded by the Swine Health Information Center. Published in Frontiers of Veterinary Science in April 2025, results detail 20 years of compiled veterinary diagnostic laboratory data on IAV in swine and provides unique insight into understanding its epidemiology.
Using a comprehensive approach, this study aimed to characterize the macroepidemiological patterns of IAV detection utilizing PCR assays, including subtype identification, over the last 20 years. The findings offer valuable insights into IAV dynamics across the US, detailing its distribution by age category, specimen type, and seasonal trends. Specifically, samples submitted between January 2004 and December 2024 to VDLs participating in the SDRS were analyzed and revealed a substantial 31% of the 372,659 samples tested positive for IAV RNA.
Regarding sample types tested for IAV, oral fluids (44.1%) and lung tissue (38.7%) emerged as the most frequently submitted sample types, indicative of their utility in surveillance. Notably, the wean-to-market category exhibited a higher positivity rate at 34.4% compared to the adult/sow farm category’s 26.9%, emphasizing the importance of this age group in IAV ecology. A similar phenomenon has been previously reported for PRRS and PED viruses. The study also revealed a consistent seasonal pattern, with IAV detection peaking in spring and fall and decreasing during the summer months.
Further insight into IAV diversity was gained through subtyping of 118,490 samples. The most prevalent subtypes identified were H1N1 (33.1%), H3N2 (25.5%), and H1N2 (24.3%), with H3N1 detected at a much lower rate of 0.2%. Interestingly, mixed subtypes were identified in 5.4% of samples, with partial subtype detection in 11.5%. The presence of mixed IAV subtypes in individual samples, including lung tissue, nasal swabs, and bronchoalveolar lavage, provides evidence of co-infection with multiple IAV strains. For forecasting IAV trends, improved modeling methods were established to inform stakeholders of weekly changes in IAV detection patterns and enhance accuracy in predictive capabilities.
This work underscores the importance of IAV as a major respiratory pathogen in swine and highlights the ongoing need for monitoring to understand its epidemiology. Specifically, this study highlights the indispensable role of laboratory submission data in robust IAV surveillance and macroepidemiological analysis. The consistent detection of mixed IAV subtypes in lung tissue further emphasizes the complex nature of IAV infections.
As an outcome of the study, the authors recommend the establishment of standardized monitoring systems within VDLs, which will enhance the understanding of IAV in swine populations and enable more timely identification of surveillance trends. Overall, the collation of IAV detection data over 20 years within this study assists in informed decision-making based on the generated macroepidemiological information. Real-time updated IAV monitoring information is available in the SDRS website dashboards, and through SHIC’s monthly Domestic Disease Monitoring Reports.
The Swine Health Information Center, in collaboration with the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, hosted a webinar on April 25, 2025, highlighting the recent incursion of foot and mouth disease virus in the EU and the global threat it poses for swine production. The webinar entitled, FMDV Incursions in EU: Situation Update and Considerations for US Prevention, had 325 registrants globally and is now available for on demand viewing. Information is provided about the virus, global presence of FMDV, status updates for Germany and Hungary, and a review of available producer resources for prevention and preparedness of emerging and foreign animal diseases.
The identification of FMDV in three EU countries after maintaining decades of negative status raises concern about a potential emerging threat to swine health. Understanding the clinical signs, epidemiology, biosecurity, and prevention steps for FMDV can help producers protect their herd health. Presenters offering their expertise included:
Dr. Jonathan Arzt, research veterinary medical officer, USDA Agricultural Research Service
Dr. Maria Sol Perez Aguirreburualde, deputy director and international research development manager, University of Minnesota
Dr. Denise Wüllner, health assurance, central and eastern Europe, PIC
Dr. Gyula Balka, associate professor, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
Dr. Patrick Webb, assistant chief veterinarian, National Pork Board
First, Dr. Arzt provided a clinical and epidemiological overview of FMD in pigs. Clinical signs of FMDV in pigs include depressed activity, vesicles of the coronary bands, lying down versus standing or moving, and fever that could exceed 105°F. Dr. Arzt noted characteristic lesions for FMDV include blanching, white discoloration, and vesicles around the coronary band of the hooves as the most common lesion in pigs. The presence of vesicles on the tongue, snout, and haired skin on front or hind limbs near pressure points is also common, but less consistent than coronary bands. The primary site of FMDV infection in pigs is the oropharynx (tonsils).
Dr. Arzt stated that infection progresses rapidly after a 24-hour incubation period with vesicles typically appearing within 48 to 72 hours. Lesions will mature and slough affected tissues within 14 days. Unlike ruminants, pigs are not competent long-term carriers of FMDV and typically clear the virus within 14 to 21 days post-infection. He noted that pigs are contagious 24 hours before clinical signs are noted through 14 days post-infection.
Identifying FMDV can be a challenge, Dr. Arzt stressed, as there are four vesicular diseases with similar presentation: FMDV, Senecavirus A, swine vesicular disease, and vesicular stomatitis. Early stage FMD vesicles have characteristic blanching, whiteness, and swelling whereas SVA vesicles tend to have a yellow tinge and are often less fluid filled. All vesicular diseases in pigs are visually and clinically indiscernible however and PCR testing is required for differentiation.
Dr. Arzt reviewed the potential of FMDV being spread through feedstuffs. While infectious FMDV can be recovered from contaminated feed for at least 40 days under cold storage conditions, stability varies based on the strain and type of storage. Through research funded by SHIC, he noted that a high viral dose is required in feed to result in infection through consumption of contaminated feed. Dr. Arzt said the high amount of virus required to cause infection in this scenario was not likely to occur in production settings of contaminated feed ingredients. Dr. Arzt referenced contaminated pork or meat items as higher risks for oral consumption and FMDV infection.
In her presentation on global FMDV circulation, Dr. Perez reviewed current FMDV distribution, and the various serotypes across regions and countries. Status categories include FMD-free with vaccination, FMD-free without vaccination, and endemic for those regions with persistent infections. Due to data gaps, she advised caution when reviewing available information as not reported may indicate “…no recent evidence” versus a proven disease-free status.
Dr. Perez noted that various lineages of FMDV have moved rapidly from country to country. The lineages SAT 2/V to Algeria, O/EA-3 to Libya, and Ind-2001e MYMBD21 across South Asia show viruses can escape static control plans in weeks. In addition, wildlife interfaces matter, evidenced by concurrent SAT 1 + SAT 3 spillovers in South Africa from water buffalo reservoirs. These reservoirs can topple disease control zoning and resulting outbreaks may demand broader vaccine formulations for control and mitigation.
Producers and practitioners are encouraged to stay aware of global FMDV status. Globally, Dr. Perez recommends continuous genomic surveillance, flexible regional vaccine banks, and cross-border contingency planning to guide prevention and preparedness activities.
Dr. Wüllner provided an overview of the sole case of FMDV in Germany detected in January 2025 that disrupted a 14-year freedom of the virus for Europe and a 37-year freedom for Germany. Dr. Wüllner noted Germany had been struggling with blue tongue virus serotype 3 (BTV3) in ruminants since 2023 and this ongoing issue complicated the FMDV diagnosis since the two viruses can have a similar clinical presentation.
Dr. Wüllner said clinical signs of BTV3 in cattle include inflammation of the teat skin, mucous membranes in the eyelid area, oral cavity, and genitalia. In addition, detachment of mucous membranes in the tongue and mouth as well as vesicles on the coronary band can be other clinical signs. The clinical manifestations of BTV3 in cattle resemble the symptoms of FMDV, she stated.
The individual FMDV case was detected at a small farm with 14 head of water buffalo located near Berlin. Initially, the herd owner noted death loses in three animals and BTV3 was suspected. The third death loss led to post-mortem examination and testing for BTV3 at the official national laboratory. The BTV3 test results were negative. When the probable diagnosis was disproved, differential diagnoses were considered and a test for FMDV was subsequently ordered. The outcome was positive for FMDV. Investigation and testing occurred over a three-day period in January. Dr. Wüllner stated that all samples were forwarded to the national reference lab to confirm the results and on January 10, 2025, FMDV serotype O was confirmed.
Disease control measures were implemented and the remainder of the water buffalo herd was depopulated on the same day as FMDV confirmation. Carcasses were safely disposed of through movement in sealed trailers to rendering plants. All susceptible animals on farms within 1 km of the FMD outbreak site were culled, including one pig farm with 244 head.
Dr. Wüllner shared Germany has a national system providing affected animal owners compensation for loss. This includes financial help for specialist companies to perform culling. After culling, the farm was disinfected, and lime was applied to surrounding grass fields where fences were raised. The German Federal Ministry for Food and Agriculture (BMEL) issued a standstill order for all animals in the Brandenburg/Berlin area for seven days and further zones were established to halt animal movements. Monitoring in restricted zones began and all farms within the affected area were tested a total of three times, with testing occurring every seven days. In the surveillance zone, farms were tested twice every 14 days. She noted there is no intensive livestock production in this zone.
Due to the limited nature of the outbreak, rapid response actions, and subsequent protocols implemented, the World Organization for Animal Health reinstated Germany’s status of “free from FMDV without vaccination” on April 14, 2025, upon request from the German government. Official recognition of WOAH animal health status is significant to international trade.
Dr. Balka described the recent FMDV outbreaks in Hungary. He compared the size of Hungary to that of Indiana and stated that there are currently five outbreaks of FMDV within the country. The first outbreak occurred in Kisbajcs in March 2025. Initially, dairy heifers exhibited loss of appetite and fever with moldy bedding being suspected as the potential cause. As specific clinical signs also appeared within the herd, affecting heifers, milking cows as well as fattening animals, the official veterinarian was notified and suspicion of FMDV lead to herd testing and halting animal movements pending confirmation. Once the official outbreak was confirmed three days after the first non-specific clinical signs were noted, additional steps such as reporting to the EU and WOAH, a 72-hour movement ban, and establishing restriction zones were implemented. FMDV confirmation led to culling of infected animals and disinfection of the dairy farm.
Following the Kisbajcs outbreak, FMDV was also identified on farms in Levél, Darnózseli, Dunakiliti, and Rábapordány, with the last outbreak being confirmed on April 17, 2025. Clinical signs of FMDV in cattle in Hungary included excessive salivation/drooling, being off feed, fever, audible tutting noises, and painful lesions on the tongue, nose, and teats.
Once FMDV was identified in Hungary, a suspension of FMD-free without vaccination status was initiated. Importation of susceptible animals into restricted areas as well as exports to EU or third countries are prohibited. Every susceptible species within the surveillance zones (10 km) must be kept inside. Fairs, exhibitions, and events presenting all animal species are prohibited until May 5, 2025. Slaughter (not obligatory) of pigs in the restricted areas at appointed slaughterhouses (after negative testing within 48 hours) is prescribed. Affected farmers were compensated by the government. Smaller border crossings have been closed while larger ones undergo disinfection.
Dr. Balka noted that the route by which FMDV was introduced into Hungary is currently unknown. Dr. Balka stated there is no connection between the Germany and Hungary FMDV outbreak strains. The first outbreak in Hungary was near the border with Slovakia and the fifth FMDV outbreak in Hungary was 60 km from the nearest infected site despite strict biosecurity measures.
As an additional step to manage the FMDV outbreak, from the second case, vaccination began on the days of outbreak confirmation to try to decrease viral shedding from animals while performing depopulation of infected herds, Dr. Balka stated. Of the three primary and two secondary outbreaks in Hungary (secondary had contact with primary), 9312 cattle and nearly 10,000 pigs in the vicinity were culled. Additional biosecurity steps included the use of drive-over disinfection mats at border crossings, disinfectant use at burial sites, prohibition of hunting, and restricted personal traffic in the national parks where high value traditional breeds are kept. Dr. Balka offered this resource for updates on FMD in the EU.
Dr. Webb highlighted resources for FMDV prevention and preparedness efforts available from the National Pork Board’s Pork Store. These include 12-in. by 18-in. laminated posters containing information on FMD (English – #04868, Spanish – #04868S), classical swine fever (English – #04897, Spanish – #04897S), and African swine fever (English – #-04895, Spanish – #04895S). The posters are designed to highlight signs and symptoms of FMD and how to report suspect cases. NPB has also prepared a disinfectant booklet including information on products labeled for foreign animal diseases, outlining characteristics of common swine disinfectants, dose rates, and contact time required.
A wide variety of employee training materials are available from the Center for Food Security and Public Health for FMD including fact sheets, summaries, images, and PowerPoint presentations. In addition, Secure Pork Supply offers additional videos and documents for employee training. Resources for FMD, CSF, and ASF information along with additional information on FMD vaccination are all available on the SPS website. The SPS website has four videos available in English and Spanish: Introduction to Biosecurity, Do Not Bring Disease to the Site, Premieter Buffer Area, and Line of Separation and Biosecure Entry. Additional training materials are available for mmanure management, mortality management, non-farm personnel, pig transport, and truck washing.
Dr. Webb stated that enhanced biosecurity training and implementation of those steps are key to success for disease prevention and preparedness. With the beginning of the exhibition season, Dr. Webb highlighted biosecurity resources for weigh-in or tagging events, exhibitions and sales, all available at the NPB website.
Dr. Webb emphasized the need for producers to have completed their biosecurity focused SPS plans. In addition, the swine industry in the US also offers AgView, a free, opt-in technology solution for producers to deliver traceability data to state animal health officials in emergencies, Certified Swine Sample Collector training for barn staff sample collection, and US SHIP, the Swine Health Improvement Plan modeled after the US Poultry Improvement Plan.
This webinar, hosted by SHIC and the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, is conducted by the Swine Medicine Education Center at Iowa State University.
The Swine Health Information Center will celebrate its 10th anniversary in July 2025. Launched in 2015 with Pork Checkoff funding, SHIC’s mission is to protect and enhance the health of the US swine herd. This is accomplished by minimizing the impact of emerging disease threats through preparedness, coordinated communications, global disease monitoring, analysis of swine health data, and targeted research investments.
Research serves as a cornerstone of SHIC’s effort to protect and enhance the health of the US swine herd. “SHIC received the greatest number of research proposals and awarded the highest dollar amount for research projects in a single year in 2024,” said SHIC Executive Director Dr. Megan Niederwerder. “Matching funds and external grants have enabled SHIC to leverage Pork Checkoff investment and at the same time, expand both research breadth as well as funding capacity to increase return on investment.”
SHIC has made it a priority to broaden the reach of its requests for proposals, encouraging participation from a growing number of organizations across diverse regions within and outside of the US. Broadening the reach of RFP awareness will expand the network of scientists conducting critical swine health research, increase competitiveness of funding awards, and advance innovation for pork producers in the protection of herd health.
Between 2023-2025, SHIC has awarded research funds to 49 principal investigators at 15 universities, seven private companies, and one government entity to do relevant swine-health related research. These 23 organizations represent different perspectives, diverse expertise, and are located across three countries – the US, Canada, and Australia. The US-based projects come from organizations in 15 states: California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, and Texas.
“No single researcher, institution, company, or even country has all the answers,” said SHIC Associate Director Dr. Lisa Becton. “By intentionally expanding SHIC’s reach, we can take advantage of great talent not only in the US but in other countries to perform key research needed to benefit US pork producers. For example, utilizing the expertise of researchers in Australia for Japanese encephalitis virus, where it is an ongoing concern, helps address US producers’ concerns and provide practical information on disease presentation and risks for this emerging threat.”
SHIC’s H5N1 Risk to Swine Research Program RFP, funded in collaboration with the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research and the Pork Checkoff which closed in December 2024, brought in 51 proposals, the highest number received for a single RFP at the time. The subsequent RFP, SHIC 2025 Plan of Work Research Program, closed in April 2025 and broke the new record with 57 proposals. Engaging researchers and organizations focused on the swine industry as well as allied industries will result in high quality data to help fulfill SHIC’s mission and serve pork producers well.
The National Pork Board is launching an e-newsletter, the Swine Health Bulletin, to connect swine vets with the National Pork Board and its team of experts. This newsletter will serve as a helpful resource to keep you informed on Pork Checkoff-funded research, industry opportunities and important swine health-related news.
This new tool is more than a newsletter delivered to your inbox. It’s a community of veterinarians dedicated to protecting herds, supporting producers and advancing swine health.
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This month’s Domestic Swine Disease Monitoring Report covers the increased detection of PRRSV lineages 1C.5 and 1C.2. The PRRSV case positivity in wean-to-finish historically decreases in May; however, the positivity remains above 40% this year. In sow farms, the PRRSV case positivity also continues to increase at an alarming rate. PRRSV L1C.5 doubled the number of 2025 detections in a single month in Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Indiana. Iowa had 569 detections from January to April 2025 and at the end of May, the cumulative number of detections reached 1,100. Detection of lineage 1C.2 RFLP 1-2-4 also increased in April, becoming the third most detected variant in the US in 2025. PEDV had increased regional case positivity in Iowa, Kansas, Indiana, and North Carolina. PDCoV, PCV2, and IAV case positivity went down in all age categories. Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae case positivity remains above the expected in wean-to-finish. The trend of low Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae positivity in sow farms continues with several production systems targeting elimination. In the podcast, Janelle Hamblin, Manitoba Pork, discussed the PEDV elimination plan in Canada, explaining the importance of a PEDV vaccine and non-negotiable points for the US to target PEDV elimination.
The June Global Swine Disease Monitoring Report contains an update on Germany regaining FMD-free status. Slovakia and Hungary have reported no additional FMD outbreaks since early to mid-April. Slovakia and Latvia have each detected their first ASF outbreak for 2025. In Turkiye, the first FMD SAT1 outbreak since 1965 was reported. In Latin America, the World Organization for Animal Health has officially recognized Brazil and Bolivia as free of FMD without vaccination. New World Screwworm (NWS) has moved across Central America reaching cattle in Veracruz, Mexico, prompting USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to suspend imports of live cattle, horses, and bison from Mexico.
PRRS Cumulative Incidence for MSHMP Beginning July 1, 2009
PEDV Cumulative Incidence for MSHMP Beginning May 1, 2013
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