The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC), in collaboration with the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, the National Pork Board and the National Pork Producers Council, will hold a series of webinars on Senecavirus A (Seneca Valley Virus) for veterinary practitioners and pork producers, May 16, 18 and 20 at 4:00 PM CDT each day.
Monthly Archives: April 2016
AASV Board Addresses Antibiotic-Free Production
The American Association of Swine Veterinariansâ (AASV) Board of Directors addressed the issue of antibiotic-free production during their spring board meeting on March 21, 2016. Veterinary members of the associationâs Pig Welfare and Pharmaceutical Issues committees raised concerns regarding pig health and well-being in antibiotic-free production systems. The committees considered issues associated with concerns that animals requiring antibiotics may not receive timely treatment under certain antibiotic-free production strategies.
Novel Highly Pathogenic Avian A(H5N2) and A(H5N8) Influenza Viruses of Clade 2.3.4.4 from North America Have Limited Capacity for Replication and Transmission in Mammals
Highly pathogenic influenza A(H5N8) viruses from clade 2.3.4.4 were introduced to North America by migratory birds in the fall of 2014. Reassortment of A(H5N8) viruses with avian viruses of North American lineage resulted in the generation of novel A(H5N2) viruses with novel genotypes. Through sequencing of recent avian influenza viruses, we identified PB1 and NP gene segments very similar to those in the viruses isolated from North American waterfowl prior to the introduction of A(H5N8) to North America, highlighting these bird species in the origin of reassortant A(H5N2) viruses. While they were highly virulent and transmissible in poultry, we found A(H5N2) viruses to be low pathogenic in mice and ferrets, and replication was limited in both hosts compared with those of recent highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses. Molecular characterization of the hemagglutinin protein from A(H5N2) viruses showed that the receptor binding preference, cleavage, and pH of activation were highly adapted for replication in avian species and similar to those of other 2.3.4.4 viruses. In addition, North American and Eurasian clade 2.3.4.4 H5NX viruses replicated to significantly lower titers in differentiated normal human bronchial epithelial cells than did seasonal human A(H1N1) and highly pathogenic A(H5N1) viruses isolated from a human case. Thus, despite their having a high impact on poultry, our findings suggest that the recently emerging North American A(H5N2) viruses are not expected to pose a substantial threat to humans and other mammals without further reassortment and/or adaptation and that reassortment with North American viruses has not had a major impact on viral phenotype. IMPORTANCE Highly pathogenic H5 influenza viruses have been introduced into North America from Asia, causing extensive morbidity and mortality in domestic poultry. The introduced viruses have reassorted with North American avian influenza viruses, generating viral genotypes not seen on other continents. The experiments and analyses presented here were designed to assess the impact of this genetic diversification on viral phenotypes, particularly as regards mammalian hosts, by comparing the North American viruses with their Eurasian precursor viruses. Bryan S. Kaplan, Marion Russier, Trushar Jeevan, Bindumadhav Marathe, Elena A. Govorkova, Charles J. Russell, Mia Kim-Torchetti, Young Ki Choi, Ian Brown, Takehiko Saito, David E. Stallknecht, Scott Krauss, Richard J. Webby; Novel Highly Pathogenic Avian A(H5N2) and A(H5N8) Influenza Viruses of Clade 2.3.4.4 from North America Have Limited Capacity for Replication and Transmission in Mammals; mSphere Apr 2016, 1 (2) DOI: 10.1128/mSphere.00003-16 Full text:
USDA Releases Summary of IAV-S Surveillance Program Reviews
In 2010, USDA implemented the Influenza Virus A in Swine (IAV-S) Surveillance Program with funding APHIS received through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a fiscal year (FY) 2009 supplemental appropriation. That funding source will likely be exhausted during FY 2016.
DEA Acknowledges Veterinarians’ Ability to Practice across State Lines
With President Barack Obamaâs signing of the Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act in 2014, it became legal for veterinarians to carry controlled substances across state lines to provide complete medical care to patients outside their clinics. [Source: AVMA@Work, March 8, 2016]. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration dotted the final âiâ on the legislation recently, formally acknowledging its provisions in a letter to practitioners who are registered with the DEA to dispense controlled substances.
The Avian-Origin H3N2 Canine Influenza Virus that Recently Emerged in the United States has Limited Replication in Swine
Equine-origin H3N8 has circulated in dogs in the United States since 1999. A genetically and antigenically distinct avian-origin H3N2 canine influenza was detected in March of 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. Subsequent outbreaks were reported with over 1,000 dogs in the Midwest affected followed by 23 additional states with detections within 5 months. The potential for canine-to-swine transmission was unknown. Experimental infection in pigs showed this virus does not replicate efficiently in swine. Abente EJ, Anderson TK, Rajao DS, Swenson S, Gauger PC, Vincent AL; The Avian-Origin H3N2 Canine Influenza Virus that Recently Emerged in the United States has Limited Replication in Swine; Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2016 Apr 25. doi: 10.1111/irv.12395. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 27110913
Iowa Swine Day to showcase nationally recognized speakers on topics of vital interest to the pork industry
Join Iowa State University, the Iowa Pork Industry Center and the Iowa Pork Producers Association in celebrating the 5th anniversary of Iowa Swine Day. Iowa Swine Day is an industry-focused event with a very high quality program designed specifically for the pork industry. Iowa Swine Day 2016 will be held from 9:00 am until 4:35 pm on Thursday, June 30 in the Scheman building on the Iowa State University campus. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. Lunch and refreshments are included in the registration fee, which is $60 until midnight, June 17, and then increases to $80. Students of all ages may register at no cost until June 17th, paying $45 thereafter. To register and view the full program, visit our website at http://www.aep.iastate.edu/iowaswineday. For additional information, contact Dr. John Patience, Professor of Animal Science, (515) 509-1756, jfp@iastate.edu.
The Global Antigenic Diversity of Swine Influenza A Viruses
Swine influenza presents a substantial disease burden for pig populations worldwide and poses a potential pandemic threat to humans. There is considerable diversity in both H1 and H3 influenza viruses circulating in swine due to the frequent introductions of viruses from humans and birds coupled with geographic segregation of global swine populations. Much of this diversity is characterized genetically but the antigenic diversity of these viruses is poorly understood. Critically, the antigenic diversity shapes the risk profile of swine influenza viruses in terms of their epizootic and pandemic potential. Here, using the most comprehensive set of swine influenza virus antigenic data compiled to date, we quantify the antigenic diversity of swine influenza viruses on a multi-continental scale. The substantial antigenic diversity of recently circulating viruses in different parts of the world adds complexity to the risk profiles for the movement of swine and the potential for swine-derived infections in humans. Lewis NS, Russell CA, Langat P, Anderson TK, Berger K, Bielejec F, Burke DF, Dudas G, Fonville JM, Fouchier RA, Kellam P, Koel BF, Lemey P, Nguyen T, Nuansrichy B, Peiris JM, Saito T, Simon G, Skepner E, Takemae N; ESNIP3 consortium, Webby RJ, Van Reeth K, Brookes SM, Larsen L, Watson SJ, Brown Vincent AL; The Global Antigenic Diversity of Swine Influenza A Viruses; Elife. 2016 Apr 15;5. pii: e12217. doi: 10.7554/eLife.12217. PMID: 27113719 Full text: https://elifesciences.org/content/5/e12217v1
Save the Date! AASVF Golf Outing August 25 in Ames
Mark your calendar! The popular AASV Foundation Golf Outing is set for Thursday, August 25 (11:00 AM – 6:00 PM) at Veenker Memorial Golf Course in Ames, Iowa. The foundation’s previous events at Veenker in 2012 and 2013 enjoyed record attendance. For a sneak peek at the course, visit www.veenkergolf.com/. Registration for the 18-hole “best ball” tournament will open in June.
AASV to Publish New Directory; Review/Update Your Listing
In keeping with its traditional every-other-year schedule, the AASV is preparing to publish the 2016 Membership Directory for distribution to members. Please take a few moments to verify your directory listing at www.aasv.org/members/only/directory.php. The contact information on file for you will appear automatically when you enter your username and password, and you will see a response box enabling you to send any additions or corrections to the AASV office. The typical directory entry includes the member name, mailing address (2 lines plus city, state/province, postal code and country), business phone, fax, mobile phone, home phone, and one email address. The directory does not list multiple email addresses. Print copies of the directory will be distributed to AASV members in late summer.