DES MOINES, Iowa – In a collaborative effort to be informed, engaged, and responsive on behalf of U.S. hog farmers, U.S. pork industry representatives are being proactive in protecting herds from the highly pathogenic avian influenza in the wake of virus confirmations at 12 dairy farms this spring.

“Since H5N1 (the bird flu found in dairy cows) was identified in dairy cattle, there’s been constant collaboration and communication between partners in the pork industry,” said Marisa Rotolo, DVM, National Pork Board director of swine health and a veterinary epidemiologist in Des Moines.

“The National Pork Board has been meeting at least weekly with stakeholders from the Swine Health Information Center, the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, The Meat Institute, the National Pork Producers Council, the USDA, and others to closely monitor H5N1 updates and response within the dairy industry,” she added. “These meetings give us the opportunity to discuss the potential implications and possible response.”

As of Aug. 2, H5N1 has been confirmed in dairy cattle in 13 states – 52 herds in Colorado, 30 in Idaho, 27 in Michigan, 23 in Texas, 13 in Iowa, nine in Minnesota, eight in New Mexico, seven in South Dakota, four in Kansas, two in Oklahoma, and one each in North Carolina, Ohio, and Wyoming, according to the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

Lisa Becton, DVM, Swine Health Information Center associate director in Manhattan, Kan., told Farm World prevention of H5N1 virus infection in swine is the main goal as the virus has not been identified in swine.

“The H5N1 outbreak is of concern to swine producers because this is the first time this virus has been identified in livestock species and the clinical signs for H5N1 is not the same as the clinical signs for swine-specific influenza viruses,” she said.

“The industry associations work closely to provide information and resources to producers to understand and learn about the dairy outbreak to support efforts for the prevention of infection,” she added. “Additional activities include the development of a research roadmap to investigate H5N1 in swine that can identify and address gaps in knowledge for H5N1 in swine.”

She said, “Should the virus be identified in swine, the industry has available preparedness and response plans and producer tools for foreign animal diseases that could rapidly be utilized for response efforts. Resources include Secure Pork Supply, AgView, Certified Swine Sampler Collection training and utilization of USDA FADPreP (foreign animal disease preparedness and response) plans for foreign animal diseases.”

Abbey Canon, DVM, American Association of Swine Veterinarians director of public health and communications in Perry, Iowa, agreed with Becton, adding collaboration is critical for preparedness and response, not only with other pork organizations, but within the barnyard, and beyond.

“We have those relationships in place and communicate almost daily with our colleagues in other pork organizations, and frequently with those working in animal health, human health, and the regulatory space,” she said.

When asked how different or similar biosecurity protocols were at dairy and other farms, Becton said, “The biosecurity principles are the same regardless of species, including surveillance and monitoring for early identification of cases, prevention of entry of H5N1 into a farm, and steps for limitation of disease transmission and spread. Due to the differences in dairy and swine production, the application of those biosecurity principles will be tailored to fit specific needs on-farm.”

On April 19, the Swine Health Information Center, in collaboration with the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, hosted a webinar to understand the threat highly pathogenic avian influenza poses to domestic livestock species, and to inform producers on actions, including targeted biosecurity measures, that can be taken to prevent the introduction of H5N1 to a farm.

Biosecurity for swine farms was highlighted to include these measures: maintenance of daily biosecurity measures included in pork quality assurance; consideration of the incorporation of enhanced biosecurity from a secure pork supply; exclusion of wild birds and wildlife from barns using screening, deterrents, and removal of roosting areas near barns and air inlets.

In addition, swine farms were advised to keep wild birds and wildlife away from feed storage, compost areas and clean feed spillage; treat surface water used for swine; and not to feed raw milk and milk products to swine.

Phil Gauger, DVM, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine associate professor of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine, and a veterinary influenza expert, told Farm World, “U.S. swine are at risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 infection with current strains of the virus, and thus, it is a concern to veterinarians and swine producers.

“Current research using highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in swine, particularly with strains that have been isolated from mammalian species, have demonstrated the ability to infect swine, replicate, and have shown some pig-to-pig transmission to cohorts, although this transmission has been limited,” he said.

“Ultimately, more research is needed with different strains of H5N1 in swine to understand its clinical impact and potential risks to swine,” he said.

To view the Swine Health Information Center/American Association of Swine Veterinarians webinar, visit: https://iastate.app.box.com/s/o6dhclv5irvspcbj5q8p21ujr4a9ei29