Update as of August 29, 2018: China reported its fourth outbreak of African swine fever on August 23rd. The outbreaks are located in four different provinces. www.oie.int/wahis_2/public/wahid.php/Reviewreport/Review?page_refer=MapFullEventReport&reportid=27636 The route of introduction into China has not been identified but the virus reportedly is 100% homologous to the virus introduced into the Caucasus in 2007 and subsequently detected in parts of the European Union and Russia. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/downloads/animal_diseases/swine/ed-notice-asf.pdf ASF genetic material was recovered from Chinese processed pork products confiscated from 2 airline passengers in Korea that had recently visited Shenyang , China where the disease was first reported on August 3. http://www.promedmail.org/direct.php?id=20180826.5988921 In addition, Romania also recently reported an outbreak in the country’s largest pig farm encompassing 140,000 pigs. https://www.oie.int/wahis_2/public/wahid.php/Reviewreport/Review?page_refer=MapFullEventReport&reportid=27687 Key points:ASF is a highly contagious virus spread by direct contact and indirect contact with contaminated objects. Some biting insects and tick species can carry and transmit the virus. Warthogs serve as natural reservoirs of the virus which affects all members of the pig family including wild boars, domestic swine, giant forest pigs and peccaries. ASF can survive for long periods (months to more than a year) in the environment and pork products (cured, refrigerated and frozen). Clinical signs can resemble common endemic diseases: high fever, decreased appetite, lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting, abortions. All age groups are susceptible. High mortality is a common feature. Death may be sudden or appear 7 to 10 days after other signs of disease. Common post mortem lesions (vary by virulence): Hemorrhagic enlarged spleen and lymph nodes (gastrohepatic, renal and mesenteric).Whole blood (not serum or oral fluids) is the only validated test available to detect the disease at an official USDA-approved lab. There is no treatment or vaccine. The virus poses NO risk to human health. If you suspect ASF, contact your state and/or federal animal health official immediately. A number of resources are available online from AASV, NPB, Center for Food Security and Public Health (ISU), Swine Health Information Center and USDA
Monthly Archives: August 2018
Doc Tales
A colleague of ours recently recounted the challenges of veterinary medicine, living on a farm and motherhood. She summed up her typical Monday morning by saying, “I recently left the house for work one day and there was a chicken in my car!” Well, even though we may never know WHY the chicken crossed the road, at least now we know HOW.
Swine Veterinarians Prepared to Assume Leadership Role in Antimicrobial Stewardship
The Veterinary Counsel with the Canadian Pork Council says pending changes to regulations pertaining to veterinary use of antimicrobials will allow the pork sector to take a leadership role in antimicrobial stewardship. [Source: Farmscape.ca, August 28, 2018, by Bruce Cochrane]
African Swine Fever Session at the Leman Conference
Given the recent developments of African swine fever (ASF) in China, the Leman Conference is planning a special breakout session on Tuesday morning. The session will cover key aspects of the ASF virus as well as the spread of ASFV in Eastern Europe and China, key aspects of ASFV transmission, and implications of the recent developments in China. The conference organizers invite you to attend!
Food Animal Research at Kansas State University Receives Investment from Alumni Couple
Kelly and Marcie Lechtenberg, Oakland, Nebraska, have created the T.G. Nagaraja and M.M. Chengappa Excellence Fund in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University. [Source: KSU Press Release] This fund will support graduate student work and research in food animal medicine in the diagnostic medicine and pathobiology department while honoring two Kansas State University professors and researchers who are leaders in this field.
Wanted: Your Practice Tip
It’s been nearly 50 years since the AASV was formed and swine veterinarians began meeting to increase their knowledge and enhance their client services. Since then, the “practice tips” session has proved to be one of the most popular and enduring sessions of the annual meeting. It seems that nothing beats hearing a colleague share a solution to a situation that has stymied others. Whether you’ve been in practice 50 years, 5 years, or 5 months, you’ve experienced challenges and found a way to deal with them. Don’t keep this hard-earned knowledge to yourself – share it with your colleagues in the “AASV’s Got Talent” practice tips seminar on Saturday, March 9 during the 2019 AASV Annual Meeting. Contact Dr Jeff Harker (jharker@amvcms.com) or the AASV office (aasv@aasv.org) to volunteer your tip. There is no proceedings paper required, and you may even win a cash prize!
Call for Submissions: AASV Industrial Partners Presentations
The American Association of Swine Veterinarians invites submissions for the Industrial Partners oral and poster sessions at the 50th AASV Annual Meeting. This is an opportunity for commercial companies to make brief presentations of a technical, educational nature to members of the AASV. The conference will be held March 9-12, 2019 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Submissions are due October 1. NEW THIS YEAR: All companies submitting topics for presentation during the Industrial Partners sessions must register to participate in the Technical Tables Exhibit before October 1st.
Student Seminar Abstracts Due September 19
AASV has issued the call for abstracts for the 2019 Student Seminar and Poster Session, which is the starting point for scholarship competitions held at the AASV Annual Meeting. Substantial changes have been made to the procedure and requirements for submitting student abstracts. Please see (and read carefully) the full abstract submission information at www.aasv.org/annmtg/2019/studentseminar.htm.
News from Iowa Pork Industry Center at Iowa State University
Space is limited for Sept. 10 PQA Advisor certification session in Ames. Applications are due Aug. 31 or when 30-person attendance is reached, and the $75 fee must be paid by approved applicants prior to the session.
Help Us Celebrate – How has AASV Impacted You?
How has AASV impacted your life? It is time to share. To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of AASV, the association has commissioned the production of an AASV Golden Anniversary Video. YOU are invited to participate! AgCreate Solutions will be recording member recollections at both the Leman Conference and the ISU James D. McKean Swine Disease Conference. The recordings will be combined and edited into the anniversary video to be presented during the Monday morning general session at the AASV 50th Annual Meeting. Click here to sign up now for an interview slot on the Monday or Tuesday (September 17th or 18th) of the Allen D. Leman Swine Conference or Thursday or Friday (November 1st or 2nd) of the ISU James D. McKean Swine Disease Conference. If you are traveling through central Illinois and can stop by the AgCreate studio in Monticello, fantastic! To schedule an appointment contact Sarah Probst Miller at sarah@agcreate.com or text 217-663-8144.