News

Pork producers need to take symptoms seriously

The director of swine health with the National Pork Board says producers need to report any blisters on pigs to state animal health officials.

Patrick Webb tells Brownfield there has been an increase of the swine virus Seneca Valley this year.

“That increase has kind of put the antenna up of the industry to make sure that we’re on the lookout for Seneca Valley, and more importantly making sure that people don’t get complacent with seeing blisters (thinking it’s Seneca) and not ruling out FMD.”

Seneca Valley is rarely fatal and typically doesn’t require treatment.

Webb says the concern is that because symptoms are so similar to Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), producers might assume its Seneca Valley and not report it.

“Producers and vets need to report that.  That is absolutely essential for our surveillance for trade-limiting foreign animal diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease.”

According to the pig site dot com, FMD is the most important restraint to international trade in animals and animal products. Consequently, large sums of money have been invested to control and eradicate the disease.