For the second year, the National Pork Industry Foundation (NPIF) has provided funding for six freshman or sophomore veterinary students in the United States to gain experience in the swine industry, via a summer internship with a swine practitioner. The NPIF Veterinary Internship program pairs students with a swine practitioner-mentor for a one-month summer internship. Each of the six students receives a stipend of $3300 to defray the cost of participating in the internship. Grant recipients are encouraged to attend the AASV 2010 Annual Meeting and the 2010 Leman Conference, and must submit a written summary and evaluation of their experiences upon completion of the program. Complete details and the application are available on the AASV Web site at http://www.aasv.org/students/npif.php. Applications are due October 30, 2009. The AASV Student Recruitment Committee coordinates the selection of the grant recipients. Funding for the program is administered by the AASV Foundation.
Monthly Archives: August 2009
Transmission of A(H1N1)2009 Virus from Human to Birds Confirmed
On August 23, the Institute of Public Health (Chile) communicated to ProMED-mail the 1st isolation of an [influenza] A(H1N1) swine virus in turkeys.
Genetic Diversity of the ORF5 Gene of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Isolates in China from 2006 to 2008
Since April 2006, swine herds have experienced the outbreaks of a highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) in China. To explore the possible mechanism of the emergence of the highly pathogenic PRRS and more fully understand the extent of genetic diversity of PRRSV in China, we analyzed the ORF5 gene sequences of 159 representative PRRSV isolates in 16 provinces from 2006 to 2008. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses showed that all these 159 isolates belonged to the North American genotype and were further divided into six subgenotypes; 140 of 159 isolates were closely related to the highly pathogenic PRRSV with 98.5-100% nucleotide and 98.3-100% amino acid sequence identities and belonged to Subgenotype I; and 3, 8, 4, 3, 1 of 159 isolates were part of Subgenotypes II-VI, respectively. Amino acid analysis of the GP5 protein revealed that all the isolates in Subgenotypes I-III were found to be highly variable in the primary neutralizing epitope; most of the isolates in Subgenotypes I and IV had more glycosylation sites than those in Subgenotypes II, III, V and VI; and 1, 5, and 9 unique amino acid mutations were observed in Subgenotypes I, IV and VI, respectively. In conclusion, our study provides the evidence of coexistence of six different subgenotype isolates in pigs in China from 2006 to 2008, and emphasizes the importance of reinforcing PRRSV surveillance, especially after the emergence of highly pathogenic PRRS in China.
Novel H1N1 Found in Several Manitoba Herds
Ongoing surveillance for respiratory diseases in Manitoba swine herds has detected the novel pandemic H1N1 influenza virus in several herds, including sow barns, nursery barns, and feeder barns in various locations in the province.
Researchers Study Factors that Regulate Vaccination Efficiency in Swine
Using vaccination to induce a robust immune response has been an effective strategy for managing infectious diseases in humans and animals for more than a century. Now, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists and colleagues have found that a concurrent parasite infection significantly compromises the effectiveness of a commonly administered vaccine in swine.
Call for Submissions: AASV Industrial Partners
The American Association of Swine Veterinarians invites submissions for the Industrial Partners portion of the 41st AASV Annual Meeting, to be held March 6-9, 2010, in Omaha, Nebraska. This is an opportunity for commercial companies to make brief presentations of a technical, educational nature to members of the AASV.
Golfers Brave the Elements for a Good Cause
Fifty-six intrepid golfers teed up for the AASV Foundation’s Midwest Golf Outing at Fox Ridge Golf Club in Dike, Iowa. With a tenacity characteristic of the livestock they tend, four teams persevered to complete 18 holes during intermittent rain while the other teams enjoyed the hospitality and fellowship in the club house.
Veterinarian: Animal Antibiotic Use Overestimated
In a letter published August 25th in the Chicago Tribune, Iowa pork producer and swine veterinarian Craig Rowles sharply disputes the often-used estimate that 70 percent of all U.S. antibiotics are given to livestock for non-therapeutic purposes.
Grasshoppers Can Transmit Virus to Livestock
Rangeland plants may be harboring a virus that grasshoppers are transmitting to cattle, horses and other hoofed mammals, according to a published research study by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists.
Student Seminar Abstracts due September 25; New Submission Process
Application materials are now available on the AASV website for veterinary students wishing to participate in the Student Seminar on Sunday, March 7 during the AASV 2010 Annual Meeting in Omaha, Nebraska. Submissions are due September 25, 2009. Changes have been made to the submission process, so students and their faculty advisors are encouraged to access the application materials now, and review the information carefully.