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CWSHIN Encourages Development of Diagnostics for Sapovirus

The Canada West Swine Health Intelligence Network is calling on the diagnostic labs to set the development of a test for Sapovirus as a high priority.
The Canada West Swine Health Intelligence Network's swine disease surveillance report for the first quarter of 2023 highlights the detection of Sapovirus, an infection which may contribute to scours in young pigs.

CWSHIN Manager Dr. Jette Christensen says Sapovirus is a new virus for which we don't have a test in Canada or a vaccine so we don't know how frequent it is but it was seen in a couple of barns in the last quarter of 2022 and the first quarter of 2023.

Clip-Dr. Jette Christensen-Canada West Swine Health Intelligence Network:

The story is pretty much this scours, diarrhea in young pigs, either suckling pigs or in nurseries.A few have said a little bit older too, so early growers.
We find Sapovirus because all other usual causes of diarrhea have been ruled out and then samples might be sent tot the U.S. for testing and they find Sapovirus.

It's still unclear exactly how much it contributes to diarrhea in young pigs because it often seems to be there together with something else so we want to know more.First of all, from CWSHIN, we have sent messages to the laboratories and suggested to them that they could set development of a test for Sapovirus as a high priority.

Once we have a test we can figure out exactly how common Sapovirus is.We can also figure out more about how does it contribute to scours and finally, once we have those sorted out, we can also try to come up with a vaccine or get some licences for vaccine.

Dr. Christensen acknowledges there is a lot of unknowns but the most important take-home message is that practitioners do not stand alone in dealing with these rare infections.

Source : Farmscape.ca

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What started as a disappointment turned into a day full of surprises, fun, and celebration as we leave Ewetopia Farms behind and head out to the Kingston Fair to watch the 4H sheep show

Today’s vlog was supposed to be another sheep shearing day here at Ewetopia Farms, but when our shearer had to cancel, we suddenly found ourselves with an unexpected free day. Lucky for us, the Kingston Fair was happening — and some of our own sheep (and friends) were competing!

We brought along our shearing helper and headed to the fairgrounds to cheer on the 4H kids and see how our sheep did in the show. From last-minute preparations and sheep showmanship to market lamb competitions and ewe classes, we take you behind the scenes of what it’s really like at a country fair.

We couldn’t be prouder — our girls walked away with wins in both showmanship and breeding ewe classes! Afterwards, we toured the fair, met a beekeeper with fascinating insights, admired other livestock shows, and wrapped up the evening with motocross stunts and a demolition derby!

Sometimes farm life throws curveballs — but today, it gave us the chance to celebrate community, our sheep, and the next generation of shepherds.