The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is publishing final criteria the agency will use to evaluate and recognize livestock compartments in other countries. Compartmentalization is an important tool animal health officials can use to protect against disease spread and support continued trade during a disease outbreak. [Source: USDA 28 Feb 2020]
Monthly Archives: February 2020
A Systematic Review of the Efficacy of Antibiotics for the Prevention of Swine Respiratory Disease
Prevention and control of respiratory disease is a major contributor to antibiotic use in swine. A systematic review was conducted to address the question, ‘What is the comparative efficacy of antimicrobials for the prevention of swine respiratory disease?’ Eligible studies were controlled trials published in English evaluating prophylactic antibiotics in swine, where clinical morbidity, mortality, or total antibiotic use was assessed. Four databases and the gray literature were searched for relevant articles. Two reviewers working independently screened titles and abstracts for eligibility followed by full-text articles, and then extracted data and evaluated risk of bias for eligible trials. There were 44 eligible trials from 36 publications. Clinical morbidity was evaluated in eight trials where antibiotics were used in nursery pigs and 10 trials where antibiotics were used in grower pigs. Mortality was measured in 22 trials in nursery pigs and 12 trials in grower pigs. There was heterogeneity in the antibiotic interventions and comparisons published in the literature; thus, there was insufficient evidence to allow quantification of the efficacy, or relative efficacy, of antibiotic interventions. Concerns related to statistical non-independence and quality of reporting were noted in the included trials. Sargeant J, Bergevin M, Churchill K, Dawkins K, Deb B, Dunn J, Hu D, Moody C, O’Connor A, O’Sullivan T, Reist M, Wang C, Wilhelm B, Winder C. A systematic review of the efficacy of antibiotics for the prevention of swine respiratory disease. Anim Health Res Rev. 2019 Dec. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1466252319000185
Emerging and Re-emerging Coronaviruses in Pigs
Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV), and swine acute diarrhea syndrome-coronavirus (SADS-CoV) are emerging/reemerging coronaviruses (CoVs). They cause acute gastroenteritis in neonatal piglets. Sequence analyses suggest that PEDV and SADS-CoV may have originated from bat CoVs and PDCoV from a sparrow CoV, reaffirming the interspecies transmission of CoVs. The clinical signs and pathogenesis of the three viruses are similar. Necrosis of infected intestinal epithelial cells occurs, causing villous atrophy that results in malabsorptive diarrhea. The severe diarrhea and vomiting may lead to dehydration and death of piglets. Natural infection induces protective immunity, but there is no cross-protection among the three viruses. Besides strict biosecurity measures, individual vaccines are needed for each virus for disease prevention and control. Wang Q, Vlasova A, Kenney S, Saif L. Emerging and re-emerging coronaviruses in pigs. Curr Opin Vriol. 2019 Feb. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coviro.2018.12.001
Discussing Your Summer Internship at the AASV Meeting? Think about the Morrison Swine Innovator Prize
DVM students, are you meeting with a mentor about your summer internship project? Think about discussing a secondary project or a clinical case description that you could present at the Allen D. Leman swine conference in September for a chance to win the Morrison Swine Innovator Prize! We are looking for the next generation of creative thinkers to solve issues faced by swine producers on a daily basis. Intrigued? Learn more at z.umn.edu/MSIP or contact Perle Zhitnitskiy at pboyer@umn.edu
APHIS Updates Accredited Veterinarian Regulations
The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is updating its regulations for the accredited veterinarian program, in order to clarify program definitions. [Source: USDA 24 Feb 2020]
Visit the AASV Well-Being Center at the 2020 Annual Meeting; Pick up an AVMA Wheel of Well-Being
Well-being â the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy â is something you can practice every day. AASV is committed to providing members resources to promote well-being. Be sure to pick up a free AVMA Wheel of Well-Being, participate in interactive activities, gather and share healthy tips to support a culture of well-being, and find other well-being resources at the AASV Well-being Center in the Centennial Foyer at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta during the 2020 Annual Meeting. Visit early; supplies are limited!
Agendas and Schedules Posted – All Members and Students Encouraged to Attend Committee Meetings in Atlanta
Coming to Atlanta for the AASV Annual Meeting? Looking for leadership opportunities in AASV? Join a committee! The AASV’s issue-based committees will meet on Saturday, March 7 during AASV’s 51st Annual Meeting in Atlanta, GA. The meeting times, room assignments, and agendas have been posted on the annual meeting website. Browse the agendas and consider joining if you have expertise, experience, or an interest in any of the topics. Almost all committees can use members who are actively in practice. Not ready to commit? Attend a committee meeting as a guest! All AASV members and student members are welcome to attend any committee meeting, but only committee members are eligible to vote. If you are interested in joining a committee, please contact the committee chair or the AASV office.
“Get the “”Shere”” Facts: Wake Up With USDA at the Annual Meeting”
Burning questions for USDA? Want to know more about African swine fever planning, stop movements, emergency response, indemnity, etc.? Now’s your chance to ask! We have invited Dr. Jack Shere, USDA-APHIS Associate Administrator in charge of emergency planning and response, to attend the AASV Annual meeting in Atlanta. Join Dr. Shere during his special Q&A session, “Wake up with USDA,” Monday morning, March 9, 6:30amâ7:30am in Regency V. Please plan to attend this unique opportunity to get your questions answered and express your concerns about emergency response during this new and late-breaking addition to the meeting.
Call for Proposals: Identifying Gaps in US Pork Industry Biosecurity
The American Association of Swine Veterinarians, National Pork Board, National Pork Producers Council, and Swine Health Information Center are asking for proposals to identify gaps in US pork industry national biosecurity that could result in the entry and domestic dissemination of diseases foreign to the US pork industry. This work will objectively prioritize those gaps based on their potential to result in the introduction and spread of swine diseases. The final report will be shared with state and federal animal health officials, pork producers, veterinarians and allied industries for actions needed to address the prioritized gaps.
Last Chance to Vote for AASV Officers, Directors
Elections for AASV District Directors are under way in four AASV districts. In addition, balloting is still in progress for the office of AASV Vice President. All balloting ends on Friday, February 28. Have YOU voted? To check, log into your AASV membership account (aasv.org/members). Once logged in, if you’re eligible to vote, you’ll see links to your ballot(s) at the top of the page under the heading “Voting and Surveys.” The message “please respond by Feb 28th” means you need to click the link and vote! If you’ve already voted, you’ll see “thank you for responding!” Even if you’ve already submitted your vote, you’re welcome to click the link again to check on (or change) your vote — until balloting closes at midnight Central Time on February 28.