Newly Identified Swine Disease in Ecuador Under SHIC’s Watchful Eye

An undiagnosed swine disease in Ecuador is under the watchful eye of the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC). On Sept. 22, ProMED, a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases, published an article reporting the disease that’s baffling experts.

This report stated classical swine fever (CSF) has been ruled out in the Esmeraldas province after a disease alert was raised on Sept. 7. No additional alerts have been issued, SHIC reports.

The lab at at Agrocalidad, Ecuador’s agriculture quality assurance agency, tested two dozen samples and issued the negative results for CSF. The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock in Ecuador is engaged and the ProMED report said sites where the undiagnosed disease were located had undergone sanitization.

The “Global Program – Transboundary Animal Diseases” (GF-TADs) is a joint initiative of the WOAH and FAO with the purpose of fighting against the most significant transboundary animal diseases around the world.

“Because of USDA’s continued offer for diagnostic assistance through the Caribbean as well as Central and South America, the GF-TADS is aware of the outbreak and has offered additional diagnostic support from laboratories recognized by WOAH for their ability to confidently process diagnostic samples and test for ASF,” SHIC said in a report.

Even though the testing has been negative for CSF, immunizations for CSF are underway. The report clarified that 42 farms and 596 animals would be involved.

“In the green province, a vaccination goal of 745 000 animals has been established and 53 000 doses have already been applied so far. In San Lorenzo around 1531 animals have already been inoculated within the immunization process for pigs,” the ProMed article said.

SHIC said it will continue to monitor the situation in Ecuador as experts pursue a definitive diagnosis for the sick pigs.

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