The Swine Health Information Center and Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) leveraged funds to develop a $1-million research program to enhance U.S. prevention, preparedness and response capabilities for Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), an emerging disease risk for U.S. swine. In February, SHIC and FFAR invited researchers to address 13 JEV research priorities. A total of 26 research proposals from 23 different institutions, including international organizations, will now undergo competitive review for funding recommendation.
A transboundary disease risk, JEV is transmitted by infected mosquitoes and identified as a priority for North American prevention and preparedness through global swine disease monitoring. In 2022, an outbreak of JEV genotype IV spread rapidly across new geographic regions of Australia affecting breeding swine herds and causing reproductive failure, delayed farrowing, stillbirths, mummified fetuses, abortions and weak piglets. The U.S. is currently negative for this mosquito-borne virus which has waterbirds as a natural reservoir host but is capable of infecting pigs, humans and horses.
A recent economic assessment on the impact of a JEV introduction to the U.S. reports that 32% of the U.S. sow herd would be at-risk for JEV infection and that resulting sow herd losses would range from 1% to 2% of production. Assuming no increase in prices due to the diminished output, the assessment says economic losses to the U.S. pork industry would be between $306 million and $612 million, SHIC reports. Along with the recent Australia outbreak, this highlights the need for close investigation of this emerging disease and its potential for incursion and establishment in the U.S.
“Responding to this emerging disease risk, SHIC and FFAR joined efforts to form the JEV Research Program with a goal of generating new knowledge for U.S. pork producers on JEV prevention, preparedness and mitigation. The 26 JEV proposals received in response to this Program will undergo a competitive review process by a task force comprised of pork producers, veterinarians, allied industry, academic researchers and government scientists,” SHIC says.
Proposals will be reviewed not only for their value to U.S. pork producers, but also application to identified research priorities, scientific soundness, timely completion of objectives, efficient use of funds, level of impact on swine health and industry-wide benefit.
Project awards are expected to be announced in the summer of 2024.
“Research investments are necessary to prevent JEV incursion, ensure rapid detection of JEV if introduced, inform stakeholder response, mitigate production losses on the sow farm, identify effective control measures, and develop clear messaging to consumers on the safety of pork. Outcomes from the funded proposals will provide critical information that producers, veterinarians, and industry stakeholders can use to better prevent incursion and develop preparedness plans if JEV is identified in the U.S.,” SHIC says.
Read More:
JEV in Australia: A Warning Shot that the U.S. Could Be Next?
