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Abstract: Characterization of Senecavirus A Isolates Collected From the Environment of U.S. Sow Slaughter Plants

Abstract: Characterization of Senecavirus A Isolates Collected From the Environment of U.S. Sow Slaughter Plants

Vesicular disease caused by Senecavirus A (SVA) is clinically indistinguishable from foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and other vesicular diseases of swine. When a vesicle is observed in FMD-free countries, a costly and time-consuming foreign animal disease investigation (FADI) is performed to rule out FMD. Recently, there has been an increase in the number of FADIs and SVA positive samples at slaughter plants in the U.S. The objectives of this investigation were to: (1) describe the environmental burden of SVA in sow slaughter plants; (2) determine whether there was a correlation between PCR diagnostics, virus isolation (VI), and swine bioassay results; and (3) phylogenetically characterize the genetic diversity of contemporary SVA isolates. Environmental swabs were collected from three sow slaughter plants (Plants 1-3) and one market-weight slaughter plant (Plant 4) between June to December 2020. Of the 426 samples taken from Plants 1-3, 304 samples were PCR positive and 107 were VI positive. There was no detection of SVA by PCR or VI at Plant 4. SVA positive samples were most frequently found in the summer (78.3% June-September, vs. 59.4% October-December), with a peak at 85% in August. Eighteen PCR positive environmental samples with a range of Ct values were selected for a swine bioassay: a single sample infected piglets (n = 2). A random subset of the PCR positive samples was sequenced; and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated co-circulation and divergence of two genetically distinct groups of SVA. 

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Best of 2022 - Dairy Farming in Saskatchewan

Video: Best of 2022 - Dairy Farming in Saskatchewan

From seeding to harvesting, we are always busy on our family dairy farm in Saskatchewan,Canada.

We do our best to make quality feed for our cows so they stay healthy and provide the best quality milk (real from a cow).

This year was the first time trying tile drainage on one field. We already noticed how much dryer it is in the low spots and we hope that it improves the salinity issues over time.

It was another dry year but we had much better yields than last year and are grateful that we were able get enough feed.