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Don’t get complacent on swine viruses

The director of the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) is encouraging pork producers to remain vigilant even as disease threats lessen during the winter.

Dr. Paul Sundberg says while there are currently fewer cases of Seneca Valley Virus compared to this past summer, it remains an issue.

“We’re still seeing it in packing plants (and) seeing it out at the farm.  Perhaps not at as high a level as you would expect during the summer, but the data we have right now shows more cases of it this winter than we saw last winter.”

One of the major concerns with Seneca Valley is that symptoms mirror Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).

Sundberg tells Brownfield its imperative producers and their veterinarians report any cases of lameness, blisters or lesions.

“What has to happen is we go through a system of detection to make sure that we know what we’ve got.  State and federal animal health officials will come and take samples to have tested.  Usually that test has a very quick turnaround.”

Sundberg says early detection is critical in preventing an FMD outbreak, which would have a significant economic impact on domestic and international trade of swine, cattle sheep and goats—all of which are susceptible.