The NAHLN was unable to provide AASV with the weekly update in time to meet our Wednesday deadline. The weekly New Case Report will be posted on the AASV web site as soon as we receive it.
Monthly Archives: October 2014
Partnership with National Laboratory brings Latest Diagnostic Tests, Knowledge to University
A Kansas State University veterinary medicine team is working with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to bring “Star Trek technology” to the university and improve diagnostic tools for infectious diseases. The research partnership also is providing new opportunities for students. [Source: KSU News and Communications Services, October 20, 2014]
Risk of PED Underscores Value of Swine Traceability
The manager of industry and policy analysis with Sask Pork says the ability to track the movement of infectious diseases such as Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea is demonstrating the value of Canada’s new swine traceability system. [Source: Farmscape for October 24, 2014, by Bruce Cochrane]
Pork Industry Launches New Common Audit to Ensure Animal Care and Food Safety
After 18 months of industry collaboration, the National Pork Board announces that a new common swine industry audit platform for pork producers, packers and processors is now certified by the Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization (PAACO) and is available to the public. The new audit tool builds on the existing Pork Quality Assurance®Plus (PQA Plus®) program and expands it to serve as a single, common audit platform for the pork industry. [Source: National Pork Board, October 23, 2014]
Herd-Level Risk Factors for the Seropositivity to Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and the Occurrence of Enzootic Pneumonia among Fattening Pigs in Areas of Endemic Infection and High Pig Density
The aim of the present study was to identify potential risk factors for the occurrence of enzootic pneumonia (EP) in herds situated in a region of high pig density, where a majority of herds is endemically infected with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. Between 2006 and 2010, overall 100 herds were enrolled in a case-control study. Data were collected through personal interview with the farmers, clinical examination of pigs and their environments, and serological testing for M. hyopneumoniae, swine influenza virus and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus. There were 40 case herds (coughing index high, seroprevalence high) with a mean coughing index of 4.3 and a seroprevalence of 86.6%. There were two control groups. Control group I consisted of 25 herds (coughing index low, seroprevalence low) with mean values of 0.7 and 11.2%, and 35 herds were allocated to control group II (coughing index low, seroprevalence high) where the mean coughing index was 0.9 and seroprevalence 86.3%. Case herds and control II herds had an increased age of piglets at weaning compared to control I herds. Any contact between fattening pigs of different age during restocking of compartments increased the risk for the occurrence of EP in a herd. Finally, farms that use living animals for the exposure to gilts during the acclimatization and farms that had increased number of weaned piglets per sow and year were less likely to test positive for M. hyopneumoniae and less likely to develop clinical symptoms of EP in fattening pigs.
Research Proposals Sought to Target Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus
Zoetis is seeking proposals for well-defined studies that focus on optimizing the immune response of sows and gilts for the control of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv). The studies should provide insights into new methods that can help control PEDv in breeding and farrowing herds. [Source: Zoetis Press Release]
APHIS Veterinary Service Seeking Stakeholder Comments
Veterinary Services is seeking stakeholder feedback by January 16, 2015, on the following related documents that address reporting of, and response to, animal diseases. [Source: APHIS Stakeholder Registry Notice, October 22, 2014]
EU: Testing Pigs for Trichinella Introduced
A new testing regime comes in at the end of this month as part of EU control on trichinella in pigs. All pigs from non-controlled housing must be tested before they can go into the human food chain. Source: Pig Progress Oct 29, 2014 The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is still working on guidelines for producers to identify whether or not pigs come from non-controlled housing.
AASV Conference Program Online; Reserve Lodging Now
Under the direction of president-elect and program chair Dr. Ron Brodersen, the AASV Program Committee has focused on the theme “Beyond Our Oath: Integrity, Intensity, Professionalism” to assemble the presentations for the 46th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians. The conference will be held February 28 – March 3, 2015, in Orlando, Florida. The program is now online at www.aasv.org/annmtg.
PEDv: Planning, preparedness and prevention for a vulnerable time of year
This free webinar, presented and sponsored by Zoetis, will be held on November 6, 2014 at 1:00pm CST. The webinar will reveal strategies for preparing and protecting farms to help mitigate the risks of a PEDv outbreak. An expert panel featuring Dr. Matt Ackerman, Jeb Stevens and Dr. Rick Swalla will offer practical tips that pork producers, veterinarians, farm owners and sow unit managers can use. Topics will include biosecurity protocols, containment and management strategies, impact on workers and finances, and ongoing collaboration to better identify and help prevent the spread of future emerging infectious diseases. Click here to register.