I was recently at a meeting with one of the leaders of our association who is renowned for his wisdom and continuous mentoring. Upon hearing me complain that I was hungry because I passed up a doughnut earlier that morning, he exclaimed: “Harry, life is too short. When someone offers you a doughnut, eat it!” I’m pretty sure there’s a life lesson in there.
Monthly Archives: February 2019
Doc Tales
I was recently at a meeting with one of the leaders of our association who is renowned for his wisdom and continuous mentoring. Upon hearing me complain that I was hungry because I passed up a doughnut earlier that morning, he exclaimed: “Harry, life is too short. When someone offers you a doughnut, eat it!” I’m pretty sure there’s a life lesson in there.
Visit the Social Media Center at the Annual Meeting #AASV2019
Whether you are an old pro at social media news or have been afraid to join the conversation, stop by the Social Media Center. Elanco has graciously supported our efforts to bring all AASV members to the social media party. We will have help available to explain the various social media platforms to those of you who are unfamiliar. We will have live monitoring of real-time social media issues that pertain to our industry for those that have social media experience. Additionally, those of you who are actively posting on open Twitter and/or Instagram accounts by using #AASV2019 can help earn up to $2500 for the AASV Foundation as Elanco has agreed to donate $1 for each mention using #AASV2019 during the meeting. You can monitor this activity on the monitor at the Social Media Center. Join the conversation! #AASV2019
Cases Keep Coming: African Swine Fever in Vietnam, China
The concern Vietnam officials had that African swine fever (ASF) would continue to spread is coming true. ASF has now hit two more provinces after it was first detected on three separate farms in two other provinces earlier this month. [Source: Pork Business 25 Feb 2019 by Jennifer Shike]
Gene Editing Development Stalled; NPPC Renews Call for USDA Oversight
Development of an emerging technology promising major animal health and environmental benefits is currently stalled at the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, prompting the National Pork Producers Council to renew its call for U.S. Department of Agriculture regulatory oversight of gene editing for livestock. [Source: NPPC 21 Feb 2019]
Second Case of PED Reported in Alberta
A 600-head farrow-to-finish hog operation in Alberta has contracted the porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus, a disease that causes diarrhea and vomiting in pigs. Alberta Pork is working closely with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry to fully investigate this outbreak and prevent the disease from spreading further. [Source: Alberta Pork 21 Feb 2019]
SHIC-Funded Study Offers to Predict PEDV Outbreaks
The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) collaborated with the Morrison Swine Health Information Project to enable a study applying machine-learning to predict porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PED) outbreaks on sow farms. The researchers were able determine it is possible to predict the probability of an outbreak when considering animal movements and environmental conditions. Another goal was to see if shared producer data could be used to develop critical tools for the prevention of disease spread and implementation of risk mitigation. Further, this work serves as a model for near real-time disease forecasting. The authors hope it will advance disease surveillance and control for endemic swine pathogens in the United States.
Transboundary Spread of Pig Diseases: The Role of International Trade and Travel
As globalization increases the interconnectedness between nations, economies, and industries, the introduction of diseases will continue to remain a prominent threat to the livestock sector and the trade of animals and animal products, as well as the livelihoods of farmers, food security and public health. The global pig sector, with its size and dichotomy between production type and biosecurity level, is particularly vulnerable to the transmission of transboundary animal diseases such as African and classical swine fever, foot and mouth disease, or porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome. All of the above pose a constant threat to swine health, mainly as a result of both formal and informal international trade. Inspired in the risk assessment methodology, this paper classifies and provides an overview of the different pig disease introduction and exposure pathways, illustrated with abundant examples. Introduction pathways are classified as formal international trade (by product), informal international trade (by product), and spread through fomites. Formal trade of pigs and pork products is regulated by legislation and measures protecting animal populations from exotic diseases. Much more difficult to control is the transboundary swine disease transmission originating through informal trade, which entails illegal smuggling, but also the informal cross-border transfer of animals and products for personal use or within informal market chains. Meat products are most commonly mentioned, although fomites have also played a role in some cases, with live pigs, being more difficult to smuggle playing a role less frequently. The main exposure pathways are also described with the oral route playing a prominent role. Risk assessments can aid in the identification of pathways of pathogen introduction and exposure. However, quantitative information on informal disease introduction pathways remains very scarce and often incomplete, making it difficult to estimate the actual magnitudes of risks. Nevertheless, this knowledge is deemed essential to set up risk based awareness, prevention and surveillance programs that correspond to reality. Beltran-Alcrudo D, Falco J, Raizman E, Dietze K. Transboundary spread of pig diseases: the role of international trade and travel. BMC Vet Res. 2019 Feb 22. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-019-1800-5
AASV Office Closed March 7-14 for Annual Meeting
The AASV office will be closed Thursday, March 7 through Thursday, March 14 to allow staff to travel to and from Orlando to conduct AASV’s 50th Annual Meeting. The office will reopen on Friday, March 15. We hope you’re planning to join us for the meeting! If you’re not already registered, we’ll accept on-site registrations beginning Saturday, March 9. See you in Orlando!
Someone’s Already Bidding on that Item You Want! Are you a ClickBidder Yet?
Do you want to participate in the AASV Foundation Auction but are not planning to attend the meeting or you just want to get a jump on everyone else? Well now you can. Once again, the Foundation’s silent auction will be conducted electronically via ClickBid! If you want to bid on an item (or just follow the fun) you need to visit the ClickBid auction site (https://aasvf.cbo.io/). Click the link, register for your bidding number, check out the items up for bid, and start bidding!