The second round of pseudorabies (PRV) testing in Iowa did not reveal any additional cases, confirming the pseudorabies virus did not spread, says Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig after PRV antibodies were detected in a small commercial swine facility in Iowa during routine surveillance on April 30. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) has successfully completed the PRV response protocol outlined in the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) program standards.
“Thanks to a strong, coordinated effort, this situation has been resolved, and we were able to successfully contain and eradicate the pseudorabies virus from Iowa. I appreciate the support of our partners who were instrumental in helping us mount a swift and effective response, and to the affected producers and local veterinarians for fully cooperating and completing testing in a timely manner,” Secretary Naig said in a release.
Less than 10 swine production facilities remained under quarantine following the detection of PRV in Iowa. The affected swine farms have completed their second round of testing and all tests came back negative The quarantined farms have been released and producers within the control area can now resume routine animal movements, IDALS says.
“This situation is a great reminder that we must always be prepared to respond to animal health threats and can never get complacent in our efforts to keep these diseases out of our herds,” Naig adds. “As Secretary, I will continue to protect Iowa’s livestock industry and the livelihoods of our hard-working farm families.”
IDALS has completed the eradication process according to the USDA’s program standards, allowing Iowa and the U.S. to retain its pseudorabies disease-free trade status.
“The update from Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship on completion of the pseudorabies protocol is a testament to the strong animal health system our industry has built over the last decades,” the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) said in a statement. “We appreciate the swift, coordinated response by USDA, state animal health officials, veterinarians and producers to identify, contain and address the pseudorabies occurrence. Their efforts—and this situation—demonstrate the value of robust surveillance, proactive biosecurity and close collaboration in protecting U.S. herd health.”
Pseudorabies does not pose a risk to human health or food safety, IDALS says. Properly prepared pork remains safe to eat.
