Speaking at the 34th Centralia Swine Research Update on Wednesday, Dr. Lisa Becton, Director of Swine Health and Information with the US National Pork Board highlighted their efforts to be better prepared when the next health threat emerges. Lessons learned from their experiences with PED helped determine their strategy.
The US was not well prepared for PED. In 2014 the NPPC produced a resolution for a plan of coordination and preparedness for the US Swine Industry in the event of the identification/introduction of any new economically significant but non-reportable swine disease. It’s now recognized that industry needs to take enhanced responsibility for non-regulatory diseases. The US Pork Board is playing a key role in improving the industry’s readiness for emerging diseases.
She described an approach to improving preparedness in three main areas: a Response Plan including a coordinated state-federal-industry response; a Swine Matrix Project to identify potentially important diseases globally and have information about them in hand or knowledge gaps identified, and to improve diagnostics and surveillance systems; and improved swine information sharing, including the creation of a new Swine Health and Information Center.
Dr. Becton concluded by emphasizing that:
- PEDV probably will not be the last emerging disease the industry faces; therefore, an emerging disease plan is essential
- As part of that plan, monitoring of global disease issues is critical and includes pre-emptive plan for key needs for disease diagnosis and management
- Cooperation and collaboration between all sectors of industry and government is a must
The Proceedings of the Centralia Swine Research Update are now available online. It includes summaries of all presentations on pain control, nutrition, health, and many written updates on a wide range of topics.
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