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Swine Influenza Surveillance

February 2, 2011 — 

Veterinary Services has developed and implemented a surveillance plan for swine influenza virus (SIV), including an anonymous stream within participating NAHLN Laboratories. The addition of the anonymous option is designed to encourage pork producers to participate in SIV surveillance when their pigs show signs of respiratory disease. Within the anonymous stream, the results will only be identified back to the level of the State of origin, unless a producer requests in writing to participate in a traceable option. The SIV surveillance effort is designed to detect and identify circulating influenza viruses in swine. Additionally, this surveillance will provide epidemiological data related to genomic sequences. The objectives of SIV surveillance are to:

  1. Monitor genetic evolution of SIV to better understand endemic and emerging influenza virus ecology.
  2. Make SIV isolates available for research and to establish an objective database for genetic analysis of these isolates and related information.
  3. Select proper isolates for the development of relevant diagnostic reagents, updating diagnostic assays, and vaccine seed stock products.

Thirty-seven NAHLN Laboratories are testing swine samples for SIV surveillance. Since January 1, 2010 -- 2,158 swine samples (668 accessions) have been tested for SIV surveillance. The number of samples submitted for testing increased sharply in November 2010, when 490 samples from 174 accessions were submitted; prior to November, the monthly average of samples submitted for SIV testing each month was less than 200, derived from less than 50 accessions per month.

Positive isolates are being further characterized (subtyping and sequencing) at NAHLN Laboratories, the National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Agricultural Research Service, and/or the Center for Disease Control to provide stakeholders with more complete information on State-level influenza virus ecology as the program further develops.

Source: NAHLN Quarterly Newsletter, January 2011