Experts say the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) will impact Australia’s pork supply as there are now 30 infected piggeries in New South Wales (NSW) experiencing production losses of up to 80%, ABC Rural News reports.
The stress is wearing on pork producers, NSW Department of Primary Industries chief veterinary officer Sarah Britton said in the article.
Although the disease has no impact on food safety, Britton pointed out that production losses would likely affect availability of pork. Disease cases are stabilizing in recent weeks as mosquito activity has reduced. Still, producers are left wondering if this disease will return next year.
Human vaccines are available, but none are approved for pigs in Australia. Apiam Animal Health is hoping to solve this problem by developing a vaccine as part of its new viral vaccine laboratory, ABC Rural News reports. The company has received $700,000 in funding from the Victorian government to build the facility and will work in conjunction with La Trobe University.
No Pigs Allowed at Sydney Royal Show
Because of the JEV outbreak, pigs were not allowed to exhibit or be on display at the Sydney Royal Easter Show this year. In the interest of public health, because there’s a large population traveling through the show pavilion, the show committee was advised to cancel the pig show. To date, 37 people have been affected with JEV and three deaths have occurred throughout Australia, the Australian Government Department of Health reports.
Royal Agricultural Society pig committee chair Janie Forrest told ABC Rural News that it was very disappointing for the exhibitors who spent months preparing for the show.
“They’re bred by a variety of breeders who absolutely love what they do, and so for that reason it was all the more heart-wrenching to ring these breeders up three weeks ago and advise them,” Forrest told ABC Rural News.
Read more about JEV and what some Australian pork producers have to say about this devastating virus.
Mosquito-Borne Virus “Is a Nightmare” For Australian Pig Farmers
Why U.S. Pork Producers Need to Pay Attention to Australia Right Now
Mosquito-Borne Virus Discovered on Australian Pig Farms
SHIC Adds to Preparedness With Updated PTV and JEV Fact Sheets
Japanese Encephalitis Virus Could Happen in U.S. Swine Herds
