Urgency is Key to Fighting Japanese Encephalitis Virus

Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) is a disease of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are the risk.
Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) is a disease of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are the risk.
(Stock Image)

History shows we don’t always learn from others like we should. Take porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED), for example. When this terrible virus began circulating around China, Paul Sundberg, DVM, specifically remembers sitting around with other veterinarians saying, “It’s a good thing we don’t have it here.”

Then, he says, everyone went on with life until PED was discovered in the U.S. not long after and the U.S. pork industry had to scramble to find out how to respond and control it.  

But it happens. It’s easy to miss the urgency of a situation until it’s too late. That’s why some of the top veterinarians in the U.S. pork industry recently gathered at the University of Georgia Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases in Athens, Ga., to discuss Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV). 

“It’s to our peril if we don’t learn from what Australia has gone through, just like it was to our peril when we ignored PED circulating around China,” says Sundberg, executive director of the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC).

JEV is just one example of an emerging disease that SHIC and others have their eye on. This deadly virus causes disease in which clinical signs can appear very similar to swine diseases endemic to the U.S., such as increased mummified fetuses, stillborn piglets, weak neonatal piglets and piglets with congenital tremors. 

“Hearing contemporary experience on the outbreaks in Australia was a stark reminder about the importance of performing foreign animal disease investigations in the U.S. and obtaining a definitive diagnosis for unusual or unexpected disease on swine farms,” says SHIC Associate Director Megan Niederwerder, DVM.

Here are five takeaways from industry leaders in emerging swine disease preparedness and response walked away thinking about after the conference.

1.    The U.S. needs to bolster preparation efforts for a JEV outbreak.
Because JEV has never been in the U.S. before, the realization of how much work still needs to be done to prepare for an outbreak of JEV was pivotal and motivating, experts say. 

Michael Nefasey with USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service acknowledged USDA’s current response guidelines – which is not the same thing as a plan, Sundberg says – is outdated and does not address the actual epidemiology of JEV. 

“Dr. Neafsey was very open to how we can work together to create a response plan,” Sundberg says. “I thought that was a big step. We've been working with USDA since March when this outbreak happened in Australia. He said some work needs to be done on the plan. That's a good thing. That was one of the objectives of this symposium – to talk to USDA about the need for an updated plan.”

Harry Snelson, DVM, executive director of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, says there are a lot of researchable questions that need to be answered regarding effective surveillance and response strategies as well as a collaborative communication plan to reassure consumers and the general public.

“The most urgent first step is to develop a response plan. Australia went from nothing to a response plan within three working days of detecting the outbreak,” Snelson says. “We also need to find funding to address some of the basic research needs and gaps identified during the conference. The swine industry and veterinarians need to work with USDA and CDC to strategize a ‘one health’ prevention and response plan in the event of an introduction into the U.S.”

2.    Australia’s JEV outbreak has not impacted trade opportunities yet. 
Australia hasn’t had a trade-limiting response, but they also don’t have the pork export business that the U.S. has, Sundberg cautions. 

Australian Chief Veterinary Officer Mark Shipp said no international barriers have been put up other than the movement of horses internationally, which was later resolved through the World Organization for Animal Health. 

“That's been a key question for all of us: if JEV got into the U.S., how would it affect international trade?” Sundberg notes. “It’s a good update to hear that they didn’t have those challenges and that hopefully gives some indication of what we could expect.” 

3.    Producers need to know their herd’s health status. 
Lisa Becton, DVM, director of swine health for the National Pork Board, says producers need to be aware of JEV and do everything possible to prepare for this virus to strike the U.S. 

“Whether it’s an endemic disease, a foreign animal disease or even a zoonotic disease, know your pigs’ health, be aware and know when something is not ‘right,’” Becton says. “Have key contact information on hand to alert your herd veterinarian in the event of a suspect outbreak. Many diseases can look the same and sometimes some clinical signs of disease do not necessarily hit a ‘trigger point’ to call a vet. But it is so critically important to have those contact numbers handy when strange or abnormal challenges are seen on-farm.”
 
4.    Keep consumers front of mind.
How will consumers react to a JEV outbreak? Sundberg says it’s hard to know unless it happens, of course. However, hearing how Australian consumers reacted provides invaluable insight. For the most part, Australia is pleased with how consumers have responded to the outbreak. 

“It was interesting that the Australian speakers made the point that they have messaged, in everything they say from the government on down, that this is a disease of mosquitoes. It's not a disease of pigs. Mosquitoes are a risk. Pigs are not a risk. Pork is not a risk. It's mosquitoes you have to pay attention to. I think that's a great message point that we've got to learn as well,” Sundberg says.

5.    Coordination is critical.
Seeing the outbreak and quick, united response to JEV in Australia strengthens the need for continued coordination and collaboration between governmental organizations like USDA and the CDC and the entirety of the swine industry, Becton says. 

“Existing relationships between these organizations and the swine industry have been critical in managing other zoonotic disease outbreaks, such as influenza A in swine and the H1N1 pandemic influenza virus. Collaboration can ensure producers that their health and the health of their pigs is protected,” she says. “Knowing that an organization, such as SHIC, is looking for and responding to these new and emerging threats is key to being prepared in the event of such an outbreak. SHIC’s focus along with the National Pork Board, the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, and the National Pork Producers Council, strengthen the industry focus on early detection, prevention, and preparedness against disease threats.”

Simply put, you have to be informed and aware to prepare, Becton adds.  

At the end of the day, Sundberg says it’s the list of what the Australians still don’t know about JEV that may be the most beneficial part of the conference. Understanding what is known and not known is very important as the U.S. pork industry moves forward. 

“There was a lot of discussion about what to do next,” Sundberg says. “I think it all comes down to urgency. We've got to have things move, because the problem is, we may never see JEV in the U.S. or it could be here tomorrow at 5 p.m. The virus isn't going to tell us. That’s why being prepared for the worst-case scenario is important.”

More from Farm Journal's PORK on JEV:

JEV in Australia: A Warning Shot that the U.S. Could Be Next?

Why U.S. Pork Producers Need to Pay Attention to Australia Right Now

Mosquito-Borne Virus "Is a Nightmare" For Australian Pig Farmers

SHIC Adds to Preparedness With Updated PTV and JEV Fact Sheets

Mosquito-Borne Virus Discovered on Australian Pig Farms

Japanese Encephalitis Virus Could Happen in U.S. Swine Herds

 

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