Disease outbreaks and high mortality continue to cause challenges for the pork industry in all aspects of production. From endemic disease outbreaks such as porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) in sow farms to the spread of African swine fever (ASF) in parts of the world, disease threats are constant reminders of the need to improve biosecurity measures to prevent the introduction of diseases and enhance preparedness to slow the spread when they occur.
Disease outbreaks can serve as valuable learning opportunities to identify biosecurity hazards and gaps in biosecurity, Derald Holtkamp, DVM and professor of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine at Iowa State University, shared during the biosecurity seminar at the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) Annual Meeting in San Francisco on March 2.
Outbreak investigations allow veterinarians to identify and prioritize biosecurity hazards, better allocate resources toward biosecurity control measures, and assist producers in making sustainable progress to reduce the frequency of outbreaks of endemic diseases and improve productivity, he explains.
“In the case of a new transboundary or emerging disease, quickly conducting outbreak investigations with a standardized approach will help the industry pinpoint which entry events are most commonly linked to outbreaks and identify biosecurity gaps that are enabling the pathogen’s spread,” Holtkamp says. “With that information, the industry can identify where to focus time and resources to address biosecurity gaps and slow the spread of the virus.”
To address the need to improve biosecurity on swine farms, a Standardized Outbreak Investigation Program (SOIP) was developed in 2021. The SOIP was endorsed by the AASV board of directors in April 2023. Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine at Iowa State University developed the web-based SOIP application using widely used programming languages, databases and deployment servers. The application was launched in December 2023. Learn more here.
“As veterinarians, we aren’t always good about organizing our paperwork,” Holtkamp says.
The web-based SOIP reporting system makes it easier to keep all disease outbreak information organized. It also creates an opportunity to create an industry-wide database, he adds.
“The information learned from every investigation is valuable, but a database of investigations is necessary to learn from the collective findings over time,” Holtkamp says. “For example, questions like ‘what are the most frequent and recurring biosecurity hazards identified,’ and ‘which entry events are most frequently rated high by the investigators,’ and ‘where are the most common gaps in the implementation of biosecurity control measures’ can only be addressed if the data from investigations is stored and easily accessible for analysis.”
The web-based SOIP program also allows multiple investigators and production or farm staff to access, share and contribute to investigation forms and reports enhancing collaboration across teams. It generates maps of the site and surrounding area, allowing users to customize and edit the maps with Secure Pork Supply Biosecurity Plan symbols. It also records daily local weather data for the investigation period and features built-in logic to flag responses that may indicate potential biosecurity hazards, helping users proactively identify risks, he explains.
“We often have an incomplete understanding of the entire production process,” Holtkamp points out. “People can’t recognize biosecurity hazards without understanding the entire production process. It can be especially challenging to understand when parts are contracted to third-party service providers like livestock transport, load crews and manure removal.”
The web-based system provides a way to evaluate if structural, resource and operational aspects of production are done right.
“Getting all three right happens less often than you might think,” he adds.
He’s learned that one of the stumbling blocks in carrying out biosecurity plans is that they rarely address rare or unexpected happenings such as equipment breakdowns, weather events, employee absences and emergency supply needs.
The web-based SOIP system opens the door for more good ideas to be shared. Holtkamp says it also encourages monitoring of the biosecurity plan.
