The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) convened a cross-section of experts involved in swine disease diagnostics at the veterinary diagnostic laboratories of Iowa State University, University of Minnesota and South Dakota State University to create specific guidelines to follow for improved accuracy and efficiency in reporting diseases of unknown etiology affecting the central nervous system (CNS) www.swinehealth.org/neurologic-syndromes/.
Monthly Archives: September 2016
Participate in Pig Power Networking at ISU Conference
2016 brings back the ever popular Pig Power Networking Event! This fast-paced interview format is a great way to start your Friday morning at the ISU James D McKean Swine Disease Conference. This student-planned event is coordinated by members of Iowa State’s AASV chapter, and a great opportunity to get involved and interact with enthusiastic future swine veterinarians.
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 Northwest Iowa/Southwest Minnesota 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, October 24th. For more information or to apply, please go to https://zoetis.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/zoetis/job/US-Field-Force/Pork–Technical-Services-Veteriniarian_JR00001418-1.
NPPC Offers Veterinary Student Externships
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) has an externship opportunity for four senior veterinary students annually. The externships are two weeks in length and take place in Washington, D.C. and other relevant locations. The goal of the program is to expose students to the role of veterinarians in public policy and regulation at the national level.
Maternally Derived Immunity Extends Swine Influenza A Virus Persistence within Farrow-to-Finish Pig Farms: Insights from a Stochastic Event-Driven Metapopulation Model
Swine Influenza A Viruses (swIAVs) have been shown to persist in farrow-to-finish pig herds with repeated outbreaks in successive batches, increasing the risk for respiratory disorders in affected animals and being a threat for public health. Although the general routes of swIAV transmission (i.e. direct contact and exposure to aerosols) were clearly identified, the transmission process between batches is still not fully understood. Maternally derived antibodies (MDAs) were stressed as a possible factor favoring within-herd swIAV persistence. However, the relationship between MDAs and the global spread among the different subpopulations in the herds is still lacking. The aim of this study was therefore to understand the mechanisms induced by MDAs in relation with swIAV spread and persistence in farrow-to-finish pig herds. A metapopulation model has been developed representing the population dynamics considering two subpopulations-breeding sows and growing pigs-managed according to batch-rearing system. This model was coupled with a swIAV-specific epidemiological model, accounting for partial passive immunity protection in neonatal piglets and an immunity boost in re-infected animals. Airborne transmission was included by a between-room transmission rate related to the current prevalence of shedding pigs. Maternally derived partial immunity in piglets was found to extend the duration of the epidemics within their batch, allowing for efficient between-batch transmission and resulting in longer swIAV persistence at the herd level. These results should be taken into account in the design of control programmes for the spread and persistence of swIAV in swine herds. Cador C, Rose N, Willem L, Andraud M; Maternally Derived Immunity Extends Swine Influenza A Virus Persistence within Farrow-to-Finish Pig Farms: Insights from a Stochastic Event-Driven Metapopulation Model; PLoS One. 2016 Sep 23;11(9):e0163672. Free full text
Intranasal Inoculation of Sows with Highly Pathogenic Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus at Mid-Gestation causes Transplacental Infection of Fetuses
Transplacental infection plays a critical role in the reproductive failure induced by porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), yet exposure of sows and gilts to classical PRRSV generally leads to reproductive failure after 85 days of gestation. We report, for the first time, that the susceptibility of fetuses to highly pathogenic PRRSV (HP-PRRSV) is similar at 60 days and 90 days of gestation. This difference from classical PRRSV may contribute to its high pathogenicity. A field study of the HP-PRRSV vaccine in pregnant sows at mid-gestation should be considered. Wang T, Wang X, Li XA, Nie L, Zhang M, Liu S, Zhao X, Shang Y, Zhou EM, Hiscox JA, Xiao Y; Intranasal Inoculation of Sows with Highly Pathogenic Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus at Mid-Gestation causes Transplacental Infection of Fetuses; Vet Res. 2015 Dec 29;46:142. doi: 10.1186/s13567-015-0283-z. Free PMC Article
Antibiotics Measures: A Global Overview
Animal health expert David Burch dives deep into antimicrobial legislation and summarised it clearly on a global scale. Which developments are going on at different places around the globe? Besides the controversial legislation work going on in the European Union, there are major changes going ahead in the United States on the way antibiotics are used in food-producing animals and the global community via the G20 and United Nations are pushing ahead to improve antibiotic monitoring and usage at a farm level. [Read the entire article here: PigProgress.net, September 26, 2016, by David Burch]
University of Minnesota Opens Infectious Disease Research Laboratories, Food Centric Corridor
The University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine has opened a newly remodeled and expanded laboratory featuring state of the art scientific equipment. The renovations and new equipment enhance the Universityâs capacity to conduct infectious disease research with a focus on food animals, primarily swine. Roughly $2 million from federal, state and private sources was invested in the improvements.
“Emerging Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Plan” Available for Review and Comment
In July 2014, USDAâs Veterinary Services (VS) presented a âVeterinary Services Proposed Framework for Response to Emerging Animal Diseases in the United States.â A new document, âEmerging Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Plan,â expands on the framework and describes the processes by which VS will identify, evaluate, and respond to emerging diseases in animal populations. VS is inviting stakeholders to review and comment on the draft plan. Comments should be e-mailed to VS.SPRS.Feedback@aphis.usda.gov no later than November 1, 2016. The document can be accessed at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/program-overview/ct_national_list_reportable_animal_diseases
Position Announcement: Staff Veterinarian
Seaboard Foods of Iowa is seeking a staff veterinarian to join the production management team for farm operations located in the state of Iowa. The position offers a unique opportunity for veterinarians to participate in all areas of production, based on their experience and abilities. The position will report to the Operations and Health Assurance Manager.