The FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network may be able to coordinate free animal sample (e.g., tissue, feces, blood) testing for select cases of adverse events related to animal feed to help determine if an animal’s illness was caused by its feed. To learn more about the reporting process, view Information for veterinarians on reporting suspected animal food issues, available as a free open-access article in JAVMA.
Monthly Archives: October 2019
Doc Tales
Ok, I missed a couple of weeks so I’m going to make up for it with an exchange between Sue Schulteis in the AASV office and Kent Schwartz at the ISU VDL. This one is just for the geeks in all of us.
Update On Contaminated Pig Ear Pet Treats Connected to Human Salmonella Infections
According to the CDC, this outbreak appears to be over, as the rate of new human illnesses reports has slowed and returned to baseline levels. FDA continues to investigate and work with state partners to monitor the marketplace. FDA advises retailers who wish to introduce pig ear pet treats into the market to take appropriate steps to ensure that their suppliers are controlling for pathogens, and that products are not cross-contaminated after processing. FDA urges firms to remain vigilant about taking measures to control pathogens such as Salmonella, and to conduct regular assessments, including testing, to ensure the effectiveness of their processing and the safety of their products. Consumers who choose to feed pig ears should take caution to practice safe pet food handling. [Source: FDA 30 Oct 2019]
5 Animal Health Topics to Think About from the National Assembly of State Animal Health Officials
Behind the scenes, animal health officials are working on behalf of producers and the livestock industry. Some issues are top-of-mind, like African swine fever, but others might not be on your radar. Participants of the National Assembly of State Animal Health Officials met on Friday, Oct. 25, in conjunction with the 2019 U.S. Animal Health Association (USAHA) annual meeting in Providence, R.I. Here are five topics of interest discussed during the meeting. [Source: Farm Journal’s Pork, 26 Oct 2019]
Senate Passes Bill Authorizing CBP to Get More Inspectors, Canines
Today, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and John Cornyn (R-TX) to address the shortage of agricultural inspectors who protect the nation’s food supply and agricultural industries at the border. The Protecting America’s Food & Agriculture Act of 2019 would ensure the safe and secure trade of agricultural goods across our nation’s borders by authorizing U.S. Customs and Border Protection to hire additional inspectors, support staff and canine teams to fully staff America’s airports, seaports and land ports of entry. [Source: National Hog Farmer 25 October 2019]
Zoetis Establishes Research Facility with Texas A&M University to Develop Vaccines for Transboundary and Emerging Diseases in Animals
Zoetis, the world’s leading animal health company, has signed an agreement with Texas A&M University’s Health Science Center for Innovation in Advanced Development and Manufacturing (CIADM) to establish a facility for accelerating the development of transboundary and emerging disease vaccines — including those for Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), a virus that can cause serious illness in cattle, pigs, and sheep. Working side by side with Zoetis scientists, CIADM staff will collaborate in the development of processes, assays, and formulations used to produce new vaccines. [Source: Zoetis 28 October 2019]
SHIC Supported Genetic Analyses Conducted on Recent Strep Cases in US Assembly Yards
Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (S. zooepidemicus) was isolated from two recent cases of high sow and feeder pig mortality in US assembly yards. While this organism is a sporadic cause of disease in multiple animal species, it has rarely been associated with disease outbreaks in US swine. Work completed by the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Lab (ISU VDL) since the initial diagnosis, with support from the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC), provides more details on current concerns.
CDC’s Zoonoses and One Health Updates Call November 6
The Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC) Zoonoses and One Health Updates Calls are 1-hour monthly webinars that provide timely education on zoonotic and infectious diseases, One Health, antimicrobial resistance, food safety, vector-borne diseases, recent outbreaks, and related health threats at the animal-human-environment interface. Free continuing education is available to veterinarians.
Effect of Litter Aggregation and Pooling on Detection of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Virus in Piglet Processing Fluids
A sampling technique has been validated to monitor porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus 2 (PRRSV-2) using the serosanguinous exudate known as processing fluids (PFs) that accumulate from tissues obtained during tail docking and castration. PFs are an aggregate sample of large numbers of piglets and litters. However, little is known about the effect of litter aggregation on the ability of PCR to correctly classify an aggregated PF sample as positive. We evaluated both the effect of litter aggregation and of PF pooling on PCR detection. We estimated that aggregation of at least 50 litters was possible when a pig with a Ct value of ~22 was present in the sample, and aggregation of up to 40 litters was possible when there was a sample with a Ct value of ~33. Pooling did not affect PCR detection when initial Ct values of 20 and 25 were assessed. However, in litters with initial Ct values of ≥30, the amount of pooling should be reduced. Our results provide producers and practitioners with a general framework to interpret more accurately the results of their PRRSV-2 surveillance programs using PF. Vilalta C, Baker J, Sanhueza J, Murray D, Sponheim A, Alvarez J, Sylvia F, Polson D, Torremorell M, Corzo C, Morrison RB. Effect of litter aggregation and pooling on detection of porcine reproductive and respiratory virus in piglet processing fluids. J Vet Diagn Invest. 2019 Jul. https://doi.org/10.1177/1040638719852999
Still Time to Apply for Alternate Student Delegate on AASV Board of Directors
The AASV Student Recruitment Committee is accepting applications from veterinary students interested in serving as the Alternate Student Delegate on the AASV Board of Directors. This student will represent student interests and serve as a non-voting member of the AASV board. This experience will provide the student with a unique perspective of the inner workings of the AASV. The term of service is 2 years; the first year as alternate student delegate, and the second year as the student delegate.