Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (ISU VDL) is offering PEDV S1 (first 2.2 kb portion of the spike gene) sequencing to the clientele to help determine the genetic relatedness and molecular epidemiology of PEDV in US swine. During the time periods of January 24 â January 29, 2014, PEDV S1 sequencing was performed on 15 PEDV cases at ISU VDL. Among them, PEDV S1 sequences from 10 cases (ISU cases 6-15) are similar to each other and to the PEDV strains identified in US swine since April 2013 (99.1-100% nucleotide identities). In distinct contrast, the PEDV S1 sequences from the other 5 cases (ISU cases 1-5) only have 93.9-94.6% nucleotide identities to the PEDV strains previously identified in US swine. However, these 5 PEDV cases shared 99.6-100% nucleotide identities to each other based on the S1 sequences.
Monthly Archives: January 2014
NAVLE News!
The National Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (NBVME) finalized a collaboration agreement with the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) last week at their January meeting in San Antonio. This opens the door for veterinary medicine to benefit from the expertise of the NBME as well as conduct research needed for continual improvement of the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE). The two boards have been working toward the collaboration for more than three years. Also, a big âthank youâ to Dr. Robyn Fleck for her recent contributions of new NAVLE questions about pigs.
PRRS Corner: National PRRS Incidence Project Update
Dr. Steven Tousignant, UMN Swine Disease Eradication Center, reports it was a fairly quiet week for PRRS (reporting only 1 new break). The center added two new farms to the database. The new farms historical patterns of PRRSv outbreaks matches the patterns the center as been observing for the past 4 years even though they were owned by a completely different production company and serviced by a different veterinary clinic. Click here to view the latest graphs from the SDEC. Additional information regarding the Centerâs ongoing projects is available on the SDEC web site.
Pork Checkoff Industry Scholarships Applications Due February 15, 2014
Applications for the Pork Checkoffâs 2014-2015 pork industry scholarships are now open, and students are encouraged to apply.
AVMA Sponsors Compounding Webinar
AVMA members are welcome to join the AVMA’s Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents and its Clinical Practitioners Advisory Committee (two volunteer governance groups composed of AVMA member veterinarians) for a free, members-only webinar at 10 AM Central on Friday, February 7. Members can learn more about compounding and have their questions answered. Registration is easy, and registrants will receive a confirmation email explaining how to join the session. Space is limited, so sign up early to reserve your spot.
2014 National Pork Board Internship Program
The National Pork Board is seeking candidates to apply for the 2014 internship program. Intern positions are available in the following departments: Producer Services/Outreach, Communications, Science and Technology, Domestic Marketing, Human Resources and the U.S. Pork Center of Excellence.
Canadian Pork Industry Mobilizes to Address PED Outbreak
The Ontario Swine Heath Advisory Board is confident the Canadian pork industry will be able to contain Canada’s first outbreak of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea. A farrow to finish farm in Middlesex County, Ontario has been the first in Canada to be confirmed infected by Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea. The first clinical signs were identified Tuesday, samples were collected and submitted to animal health laboratories Wednesday and they confirmed a positive test late Wednesday night. Dr. Martin Misener, a veterinarian with Southwest Ontario Veterinary Services and the chair of the Ontario Swine Heath Advisory Board Science and Technology Committee, says the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food is leading the initial response with trace back and trace forward information coming out of the farm and sampling of potential contact sites is underway with results expected by tomorrow.
PEDv Update – January 29, 2014
Number of New Cases Reported — 215 new cases were added during the week of 1/19/14. No new states were added during the week so the number of states reporting confirmed cases remains at 23. In addition, the NAHLN modified a number of previous case counts bringing to 2692 the total number of cases confirmed since the beginning of the outbreak.Canada reported the first case of PEDv. A farrow to finish farm in Middlesex County, Ontario has been the first in Canada to be confirmed infected by Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea. According to Dr. Martin Misener, Ontario Swine Health Advisory Board, the herd was subsequently âlocked downâ and animal movements were stopped until âthere is a whole lot more information understood and a plan to contain this particular viral exposure.âEnvironmental Stability Study Update Courtesy of S Goyal & H Verma Survival of PEDV in drinking and recycled water: Samples of PEDv negative ground water and recycled water were autoclaved, spiked with PEDv, and then stored at room temperature (~25ºC). Samples were taken weekly from the stored water to infect 10 day old pigs in bio-assay. Bio-assay results showed virus infectivity in the 1 week sample and inactivity in the 2 week sample both drinking and recycled water. (Reported by the UMN Swine Health Monitoring Program)Additional PEDv research updates have been posted on the AASV PED Research web page and the National Pork boardâs PEDV web page.
AASV Foundation to Benefit from Matching Funds; Raffle Tickets Now on Sale
Once again, MVP Laboratories is challenging AASV members to support the AASV Foundation’s Fundraising Auction. For every dollar raised, MVP Laboratories will contribute an additional 25 cents, up to $25,000! In the ambitious effort to surpass the $100,000 fundraising mark (which would secure a $25,000 contribution from MVP), the auction committee is once again selling raffle tickets for the chance to win one of four valuable prizes! The raffle drawing will take place during the auction in Dallas on March 3, but ticket holders do NOT need to be present to win. That means you â yes, YOU â can purchase a ticket to support the Foundation and participate in the drawing to win:
Position Announcement: Director, Swine Business Unit
One of the top nine Animal Health companies in the world has retained EFL Associates to recruit a Director, Swine Business Unit. This is an exceptional opportunity to work for a company that has been ranked as one of the top three fastest-growing veterinary pharmaceutical companies in the world for the past five years.