During the AASV Annual Meeting, 29 veterinary students interviewed conference speakers to gainadditional information about their presentation topic. The next of these MP3 audio interviews is now available to members on the AASV website at https://www.aasv.org/podcast/. Student member Danielle Evenson interviewed Prof Dr. Jean-Pierre Vaillancourt who presented âOn-farm biosecurity in the poultry industry and the human factorâ in the “Biosecurity” Pre-Conference Seminar. Watch for additional podcast interviews in the coming weeks!
Monthly Archives: July 2015
Fine Structure for Non-Reporting of Pig Movements Possible Later This Year
The manager of PigTrace Canada says fines for failing to report movements of live hogs could come into effect as early as later this year. Effective July 1, 2014, under changes to Canada’s Health of Animals Regulation, the reporting of movements of live swine in Canada became mandatory. Under the regulation, both the shipper and receiver of hogs must report the number of pigs moved, their origin and destination, the time they were moved and the license number of the truck or trailer that did the transportation to the PigTrace Canada database within seven days of that movement. Jeff Clark, the manager of PigTrace Canada, an initiative of the Canadian Pork Council, says, based on the number of pig premises that are reporting regularly, we’re at about 65 percent of movements being reported.
Changes in the Swine Gut Microbiota in Response to Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Infection
The gastrointestinal tract of mammals is a complex ecosystem with distinct environments and comprises hundreds of different types of bacterial cells. The gut microbiota may play a critical role in the gut health of the host. We herein attempted to identify a microbiota shift that may be affected by porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED). We observed significant differences in microbiota between the control and PED virus (PEDV)-infected groups at both the phylum and genus level. Most commensal bacteria (i.e. Psychrobacter, Prevotella, and Faecalibacterium) in the healthy gastrointestinal tract were decreased due to dysbiosis induced by PEDV infection.
Modeling the Impact of Vaccination Control Strategies on a Foot and Mouth Disease Outbreak in the Central United States
The central United States (U.S.) has a large livestock population including cattle, swine, sheep and goats. Simulation models were developed to assess the impact of livestock herd types and vaccination on foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks using the North American Animal Disease Spread Model. In this study, potential FMD virus outbreaks in the central region of the U.S. were simulated to compare different vaccination strategies to a depopulation only scenario. Based on data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service, a simulated population of 151,620 livestock operations characterized by latitude and longitude, production type, and herd size was generated. For the simulations, a single 17,000 head feedlot was selected as the initial latently infected herd in an otherwise susceptible population. Direct and indirect contact rates between herds were based on survey data of livestock producers in Kansas and Colorado. Control methods included ring vaccination around infected herds. Feedlots ≥3000 head were either the only production type that was vaccinated or were assigned the highest vaccination priority. Simulated vaccination scenarios included low and high vaccine capacity, vaccination zones of 10 km or 50 km around detected infected premises, and vaccination trigger of 10 or 100 detected infected herds. Probability of transmission following indirect contact, movement controls and contact rate parameters were considered uncertain and so were the subjects of sensitivity analysis. All vaccination scenarios decreased number of herds depopulated but not all decreased outbreak duration. Increased size of the vaccination zone during an outbreak decreased the length of the outbreak and number of herds destroyed. Increased size of the vaccination zone primarily resulted in vaccinating feedlots ≥3000 head across a larger area. Increasing the vaccination capacity had a smaller impact on the outbreak and may not be feasible if vaccine production and delivery is limited. The ability to vaccinate all the production types surrounding an infected herd did not appear as beneficial as priority vaccination of feedlot production types that have high numbers of indirect contacts. Outbreak duration, number of herds depopulated and the effectiveness of vaccination were sensitive to indirect contact transmission probability and movement restrictions. The results of this study will provide information about the impacts of disease control protocols which may be useful in choosing the optimal control methods to meet the goals of rapid effective control and eradication.
Association of the Presence of Influenza A Virus and Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus in Sow Farms with Post-Weaning Mortality
Influenza A virus (IAV) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) are among the most important pathogens affecting pigs worldwide. Their effect on post-weaning mortality can be substantial and may be potentiated by other concomitant factors. Here, the objective was to evaluate the association between IAV and PRRSV infection at weaning with post-weaning mortality observed in wean-to-finish farms in order to better quantify the full impact of their presence in breeding herds. IAV and PRRSV presence was assessed by real time reverse transcription (RRT)-PCR on oral fluid samples from suckling piglets in nine sow farms. Production data from 177 batches of growing pigs weaned one week before/after IAV and PRRSV testing were analyzed to measure the association between IAV and/or PRRSV test results and mortality recorded for a given batch through the use of Bayesian mixed effects negative binomial multivariable regression model. The model accounted for potential confounders such as flow, date at weaning, days on feed and batch size. A statistically important association between IAV (incidence ratio (IR)=1.18, 95% posterior probability interval 1.15-1.21) and PRRSV (IR=1.41, 95% PPI 1.30-1.52) with post-weaning mortality was detected, with season and number of days on feed also associated. Our results suggest that infection with IAV or PRRSV in the pre-weaning period is associated with an increase in post-weaning mortality. This association should be taken into consideration when measuring the impact of IAV and PRRSV in breeding herds.
Position Announcement: Assistant/Associate Extension Professor of Swine Production Medicine
The University of Missouri seeks Assistant/Associate Extension Professor of Swine Production Medicine to serve on a Swine Focus Team. This group conducts applied research; produces advanced educational programs to swine veterinarians, swine producers, and allied industries; and provides on‐site consultation to the commercial swine industry and associated agribusinesses. Will develop state‐wide programs related to swine health and production, teach in the veterinary curriculum at MU, engage students in swine production and medicine, and interface with swine veterinarians and producers/MUâs Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. This is a full‐time, non‐tenure track position. SEE COMPLETE POSTING AND APPY ONLINE, Job ID 16817: http://hrs.missouri.edu/find-a-job/academic/index.php. Successful candidate must have: DVM degree, eligibility for regular license to practice veterinary medicine in Missouri, eligibility for Federal Accreditation, and a valid driverâs license. Experience with swine production is required. MU is an Equal Opportunity/Access/Affirmative Action/Pro Disabled & Veteran Employer.
Position Announcement: Veterinarian, U.S. Pork Technical Services
Zoetis, the leading animal health company, seeks a veterinarian with at least 3 years of swine-related practice and/or production system experience. The successful candidate is to be located in the upper Midwest area, and he/she will provide veterinary technical support to the U.S. Pork business, including customer solutions and educating and supporting aligned sales colleagues. This position will be posted until Monday, August 3rd. Please visit http://www.ZoetisUS.com for more information.
Position Announcement: Swine Technical Services Veterinarian
Phibro Animal Health (PAH) seeks a Swine Technical Services Veterinarian to drive demand for PAH products into the swine industry by providing expert technical support to customers and building strong ties with key influencers across the industry including veterinarians, nutritionists, and the academic community.
Register Now for AASV Foundation Golf Outing
It’s time to assemble your golf team! The popular AASV Foundation Golf Outing is set for Thursday, August 20 (11:00 AM – 6:00 PM) at the Landsmeer Golf Club in Orange City, Iowa. Several sponsors have confirmed their support of the event: Beverage cart sponsor Harrisvaccines will ensure that golfers are kept hydrated on the course, and golf hole sponsors Chr Hansen, Elanco Animal Health, Insight Wealth Group, Merck Animal Health, National Pork Producers Council, Phibro Animal Health, and Zoetis are planning games and giveaways at the tee boxes. And Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. has assumed sponsorship of the Awards Dinner that will conclude the day’s activities. Proceeds from the outing provide support for AASV Foundation programs such as swine externship grants for veterinary students, travel stipends for students attending the AASV meeting, research funding, Swine Medicine Education Center tuition grants, heritage member videos, and more. To register for the outing, submit the form available here by August 6.
96th CRWAD — Call for Abstracts
You are invited you to submit an abstract to the Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases (CRWAD) meeting Dec. 7-9, Marriott, Downtown, Chicago, Illinois. Everyone who has an abstract accepted for presentation at the CRWAD meeting. Therefore, you only need to submit your abstract, and you do not need to request an invitation.