SHIC Rapid Response Teams Stand Ready
The Swine Health Information Center’s Rapid Response Program, an important part of SHIC-supported emerging disease preparedness, offers swine disease outbreak investigations combining biosecurity hazard analysis with outbreak analysis. The program covers the U.S. with six defined regions. Due to the region’s small size, trained Rapid Response Team members from within the region can drive to outbreaks and be on site within 72 hours of invitation by the affected producer.
Rapid Response Teams, volunteer groups of specifically-trained industry experts, quickly carry out Rapid Response Program outbreak investigations, analyzing the patterns and pathways of entry for disease-causing pathogens in affected herds. SHIC trains, maintains, and funds the teams to provide a coordinated industry disease response that can make anonymized recommendations to prevent infection of other swine units. Those recommendations can be rapidly circulated industry wide. Team members update training regularly and remain ready to respond when the need arises.
When responding to a disease outbreak, Rapid Response Team members will:
- Conduct on-site outbreak investigations including sample collection and submission if needed.
- Use a standard outbreak investigation form.
- Provide a summary report to the producer and veterinarian identifying probable pathways of pathogen entry so biosecurity protocols can be enhanced.
The resources used for the Rapid Response Team online training are available for all, regardless of interest in becoming a team member. By registering on the SHIC website, you can access the training modules which serve as an excellent aid for developing your own rapid response protocol.
Editor's Note: To learn more about the SHIC Rapid Response Program, or initiate a rapid response investigation, contact SHIC Executive Director Dr. Paul Sundberg (psundberg@swinehealth.org) or the program coordinator, Dr. Derald Holtkamp (rrc@iastate.edu).