U.S. Pork Producers and Veterinarians Keeping on Top of Seneca Valley Virus

August 31, 2016 — 

The Executive Director of the Swine Health Information Center reports U.S. swine producers and veterinarians have been diligent in reporting signs of Seneca Valley Virus on the farm. Seneca Valley Virus is not considered a serious production limiting disease but its clinical signs closely resemble those of Foot and Mouth Disease, a serious infection that, if introduced, would have dramatic animal health and trade implications. [Source: Farmscape.ca for August 18, 2016]

Swine Health Information Center Executive Director Dr. Paul Sundberg says the goal is to ensure Seneca Valley doesn't affect commerce or the ability to move pigs or result in Foot and Mouth Disease entering the U.S. because it has been mistaken for Seneca Valley Virus.

Clip-Dr. Paul Sundberg-Swine Health Information Center:

“One year ago, at about this time, we had a very noticeable and precipitous increase in the number of cases of Seneca Valley Virus. Those persisted over the winter. In May, for example, May and June, counting up the number of cases in the veterinary diagnostic labs there were still 60 cases. From the first of January through the first six months of the year there were 60 cases in the U.S. that we identified. Some of those might have been re-tests.

"We've had blips of increased activity where the virus has shown up in packing plants and on farms and then the incidence goes back down again but it certainly is continuing and it's something that we're all concerned about with the way that that virus looks exactly like foot and mouth disease so in that continuing we have to all be very vigilant about letting the state and federal animal health officials know when we see signs.”

Dr. Sundberg says producers and veterinarians have been diligent in reporting clinical signs of Seneca Valley Virus on the farm and allowing lesions to fully heal before shipping pigs to market.