The National Pork Board is currently searching for qualified candidates for the position of Director, Swine Health Information and Research. The successful candidate will be responsible for the development and dissemination of current information and educational materials on key swine health issues and the oversight and administration of the department’s swine health research responsibilities, including the Checkoff’s PRRS Initiative.
Monthly Archives: June 2005
CSF Outbreak in Nicaragua
According to a report filed with OIE by Dr. Omar García Corrales, Director of Animal Health, Directorate General for Animal and Plant Health and Protection, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Production and Forestry, an outbreak of Classical Swine Fever (CSF) has been confirmed in Casa de Piedra, Nandaime district, Granada department in Nicaragua. This outbreak began on June 13, 2005 and affects approximately 385 pigs. CSF vaccination is in progress, using live virus vaccine PAV-250, in Nandaime district, Granada department (in the communities of Cuatro Esquinas, Quinta Catalina, Santa Fé, Jonathan González, Nandaime, Breña I & II and San Caralampio). Nicaragua has experienced at least 1 outbreak of CSF annually since 2000. The last outbreak occurred in June, 2004 according to a footnote in this latest OIE report (the latest outbreak recorded on the OIE’s Handistatus Report, however, was in 2003).
Outbreak of salmonellosis in pigs with PMWS
Postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) is a viral disease occurring primarily in 6-8 week old pigs. The causal agent responsible for PMWS is porcine circovirus 2 (PCV-2) and the clinical signs include progressive weight loss, respiratory disease, diarrhea, and jaundice. Microscopic findings associated with PCV-2 disease include lymphoid depletion, macrophage-associated inflammation, and the presence and level of PCV-2 in affected tissues. The lymphoid depletion and compromised immunity resulting from PCV-2 predisposes pigs to secondary bacterial infections. Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella cholerasuis have been reported to cause severe diarrheal disease in PMWS-affected pigs. This article describes an outbreak of salmonellosis in PMWS affected swine herds in the Republic of Korea.
People on the Move: Dr. Eric Neumann
Dr. Eric Neumann will be leaving the National Pork Board July 22 to accept a position as Senior Lecturer in Swine Medicine and Epidemiology in the EpiCentre at Massey University in Palmerston North, New Zealand. His new duties will include teaching and research as well as an additional service commitment to deal with pig health and related issues in coordination with the New Zealand pig industry. Updated contact information for Dr. Neumann will be available at a later date. Are you on the move? If so, let us know at aasv@aasv.org.
Needed: More responses to AASV 2005 Salary Survey!
If you’re an AASV Active Member (non-retired veterinarian) in the U.S. and Canada who hasn’t already completed the AASV 2005 Salary Survey, please do so now. To date, the member response has been less than desired for meaningful results. The brief electronic survey requests information about your 2004 veterinary income and benefits in order to provide greater insight into the value of the professional services provided by swine veterinarians. It also serves as a tool to encourage veterinary students to pursue careers as swine veterinarians. The survey does not collect personally identifiable information; all responses are confidential. Using the electronic survey form will save the association the cost of mailing paper surveys. To participate, click http://www.aasv.org/members/index.php?getcode=e which will generate a security code and enable you to begin the survey (AASV username and password required).
Call for abstracts: AASV Annual Meeting Research Topics
Plans are underway for the 37th annual meeting of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV), to take place in Kansas City, Missouri on March 4 to 7, 2006. As part of the meeting, there will be a session highlighting topical research projects related to swine health and production. The session is scheduled for Tuesday, March 7 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Those interested in making a 15-minute presentation should submit a one-page abstract on applied research related to swine health and production issues (virology, bacteriology, parasitology, environment, food safety, odor, welfare) to:
Fish oil, spray-dried plasma provide heightened immune response in weaned piglets
The period between weaning and one month of age, when a piglet’s immune system becomes fully functional, can prove to be a difficult time for producers and animals alike. In addition to the lack of maternal antibodies, piglets eat less and grow more slowly post-weaning. Disease susceptibility at this age leads many producers to feed low levels of antibiotics to compensate for decreased immune function. Recent research focusing on nutritional supplementation suggests that two potential feed additives–fish oil and spray-dried plasma–might help piglets survive the post-weaning period, with increased feed consumption and growth rate.
AVMA Executive Board approves new position statement on pregnant sow housing
The Executive Board of the American Veterinary Medical Association recently approved a new position statement on pregnant sow housing. The statement was the direct result of an extensive literature review completed by the AVMA Task Force on the Housing of Pregnant Sows. The task force critically reviewed over 200 scientific studies related to pregnant sow housing.
AMIF Solicits Research Proposals
According to an article on their website, the American Meat Institute Foundation (AMIF) is requesting research proposals on applied and fundamental research to improve the control of microbial pathogens in meat and poultry products. Specifically of interest are proposals examining Listeria monocytogenes on ready-to-eat meat and poultry products, E. coli O157 in beef, and Salmonella in retail products. Proposals are due to AMIF by August 5, 2005. The information regarding RFP submission is available at
FMD in Russian cattle
According to information supplied to OIE on June 14, 2005, a Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak has been confirmed in 2 cattle located in the Amur region of Russia approximately 300 miles from the Chinese border. The virus has been identified as serotype Asia 1. The source of the current outbreak is unknown but suspected to be the result of illegal movement of animal products from China. The last outbreak of FMD in the Amur region occurred in 2004 and reportedly affected cattle and pigs in that area. That virus was identified as a serotype O of the Pan-Asian group. The Russian authorities have reportedly implemented control measures to stamp out the disease and control potential spread.