Latest News From Biosecurity

A new diagnostic test can provide rapid results pen-side, a huge advantage over PCR and other tests which may take up to five days to return results, says Alveo Technologies, Inc., and NYtor B.V.

The livestock industry needs a comprehensive, cohesive plan to address the virus. Producers, their employees and veterinarians need clear answers and support from U.S. agricultural leadership, moving forward.

Ensuring the health and safety of our pigs is a top priority for every producer. While we often focus on biosecurity measures at sow farms, it's just as crucial to implement strong protocols in wean-to-finish barns. 

It’s not sharks, wolves, or bears that kill the most people—it’s wild pigs, and the numbers are trending up.

Defining the U.S. regions at greatest risk for JEV is an important step towards U.S. prevention and preparedness as well as allocation of efforts for surveillance.

South Dakota Dairy Producers encourages all dairy producers to closely monitor their herd and contact their herd veterinarian immediately if cattle appear symptomatic.

Knowing there are many methods for swine disease spread, the objective of a SHIC-funded study was to increase understanding around the risk of vehicles traveling to and from swine farms for disease transmission.

Steve Troxle, state commissioner of agriculture, said he is waiting for more diagnostic information from the National Veterinary Services Laboratory and will work collaboratively with North Carolina dairy farmers.

The American Association of Bovine Practitioners is making the name change, as it more accurately reflects the issue.

Is the U.S. pork industry prepared for a Japanese encephalitis virus outbreak? Here's how a newly developed diagnostic test could help.

To understand the threat HPAI poses to domestic livestock species, and to inform pork producers on how to reduce the risk of infection on-farm, SHIC and AASV will host a webinar on influenza A viruses on April 19.

Ohio has become the sixth state where dairy cattle have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), also known as bird flu.

Now that the mystery illness impacting some dairy herds has been revealed as the same strain of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza that has been impacting the U.S. poultry flock, pork producers are asking questions.

Of the eight accomplishments USDA APHIS recently acknowledged in their efforts to protect U.S. agriculture and natural resources in 2023, three specifically address the U.S. pork industry.

In January, SHIC issued a request for proposals inviting submissions to specifically address 11 research priorities in its 2024 Plan of Work. Research outcomes from the 43 projects funded will help producers, SHIC says.

Although Japanese encephalitis virus has never been detected in the U.S., experts are paying close attention to it as JEV poses an emerging transboundary threat to domestic sow herds susceptible to viral infection.

Challenging times in the market offer valuable opportunities to reexamine risk management strategies for feed inputs.

It’s one thing to know how a disease pathogen affects a pig. It’s another thing to know how multiple disease pathogens affect a pig. A new study sheds light for producers.

U.S. pork producers approved a resolution to enhance the country’s live swine traceability system during the 2024 National Pork Industry Forum on March 7. Here's what it means for the industry.

Is the U.S. pork industry making progress in the area of biosecurity? Derald Holtkamp, DVM and professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University, says it depends on how you measure progress.

When outbreaks of APP15 were detected in Iowa finishers in late 2021, experts agreed they were unusual. In response, SHIC funded research to define the risk and mitigation of this emerging swine disease strain.

A new collaborative effort is helping fund rapid investigations of unexplained morbidity or mortality events in animals – unexpected deaths or illnesses that could signal emerging animal disease threats.

A variety of topics ranging from biosecurity breaches to PRRS kicked off conversations during the 2024 American Association of Swine Veterinarians annual meeting. Here’s a quick glimpse of what some experts had to say.

The laying hen industry shares similar risks to the pork industry regarding disease prevention. Versova's Craig Rowles shares practical examples from the egg industry that could work on your farm.

A new feature in AgView may be just what you are looking for to save time and be more efficient on the farm.

Understanding potential impacts of JEV on pork production is critical to protecting the health of the U.S. swine herd as well as mitigating the risk of this emerging disease. Here's what the pork industry is doing now.

Why is the U.S. pork industry living with PRRS? Pipestone's Cara Haden believes this virus is making it challenging for the U.S. to claim to be the "absolute best in the world." She says it's time to do something.

Swine producers are caught in belt-tightening measures testing the limits of their resourcefulness. Don't let the need to save money blind you to the importance of biosecurity for your operation. Here are ways to save.

Veterinarian advocates are urging congressional offices to support and cosponsor the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act and include the Healthy Dog Importation Act in the new farm bill. Here's why.

Large investor groups are putting increased pressure on major food service organizations to reduce antimicrobial use in their protein supply chains. Can gene editing help reduce antibiotic use?

PRRS has been holding the pork industry hostage for far too long. A new study shows improvements in swine herd biosecurity can reduce the incidence risk of PRRS.

There's no question the Swine Health Information Center got a lot done in 2023, and plans are underway to make 2024 even more productive. Here's an inside look with SHIC executive director Megan Niederwerder.

Although Paul Sundberg, DVM, is always one to turn the spotlight onto others, the pork industry wants to say thank you for his years of devotion to helping pork producers and pigs thrive.

A new study confirms the difficulty in eliminating viral RNA from a contaminated feed mill post-introduction and highlights the need for continued emphasis on biosecurity for preventing pathogen entry.

Former basketball coach John Wooden and swine health leader Paul Sundberg share at least one thing in common. They both define success by “never quite getting there.” Sundberg says trying to "get there" makes life fun.

The Swine Health Information Center’s Standardized Outbreak Investigation Program is now available online. It was introduced as a Word-based form to conduct outbreak investigations. Here's what you need to know.

Infectious diseases such as PED, PRRS and influenza can be transmitted through contaminated airborne particles. A variety of industries use technologies to control aerosolized emissions. An extensive review is now out.

Pathogens that cause swine respiratory disease and ileitis taunt pork producers daily. Veterinarians share how water-soluble antibiotics may help.

What do you need to know about Strep. zoo?

Visual inspection is insufficient to ensure cleanliness and eliminate disease transmission risk due to microscopic viruses and bacteria. Here's what could help.

When it comes to preventing a FAD at your operation, remember you are not on your own. There are three levels that must work together to achieve success.

For the U.S. swine industry, 2023 has been a year most farmers would like to forget. However, this time, it's not because of disease issues. Here are three predictions for pig health in 2024 by Pipestone's Joel Nerem.

The U.S. pork industry has learned its lesson about paying attention to disease outbreaks in other countries. That's why a new website has been created about Japanese Encephalitis Virus that wreaked havoc in Australia.

As swine producers, you all pay a health tax at the end of the year, whether you know it or not. This tax is paid on every pig and reflects the cost of less-than-perfect health in an operation.

The history of wild pig hunts is filled with unusual stories, but the chase for a 750-lb. beast hiding in plain sight on a Mississippi farm ranks as a standalone account. Farming reality outshines fiction.

Ready or not, peak disease transmission season has arrived. Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is a frustrating and complicated disease. How prepared are your farm and team for PRRS season?

Emerging infectious diseases are a constant threat to the swine industry. Here's how SHIC is helping protect and mitigate emerging disease risks to the North American swine population.

Results of African swine fever research in Vietnam are helping inform prevention and preparedness efforts for the U.S. pork industry while helping with response and recovery efforts for the ASF epidemic in Vietnam.  

Recent conservation efforts have proven effective at controlling wild pig populations in the Southeastern U.S., according to new research.

Wild hog populations are continuing to spread and move north in the U.S. As one of the most destructive invasive animal species in the U.S., the significant increase in the wild hog population is a great concern.