An examination of 20 years of data on influenza A in swine by Iowa State University is shedding new light on the epidemiology of the virus.An article authored by Iowa State University scientists and published in the April edition of "Frontiers of Veterinary Science" looks at 20 years of compiled veterinary diagnostic laboratory data on influenza A virus in swine.Swine Health Information Center Associate Director Dr. Lisa Becton says influenza A viruses are tracked in swine through a couple of mechanisms including the veterinary diagnostic laboratories and reported through the Swine Disease Reporting System.
Quote-Dr. Lisa Becton-Swine Health Information Center:
What's included in these reports are the results from six different veterinary labs and that comes from submissions from swine producers and encompasses pigs of multiple ages as well as multiple sample types.We do this surveillance to understand, what are the current challenges that we're seeing out in swine populations when animals are showing respiratory disease, identify potential changes within the virus and then also look for and investigate potentially new or different strains or subtypes.
This information is critical to continue to be able to forecast influenza trends and to have accuracy when predicting what may happen or what should be expected when we assess how samples are coming into the diagnostic lab over time.So, it is important to understand, when do we expect to see an increase or decrease in virus submissions but also how can that information be used to model what is expected across populations and to assess what potential control or intervention strategies could be used.
Dr. Becton says this information is being used by producers and their veterinarians when assessing disease events on farm and to understand where influenza hot spots are occurring.Further information on influenza A as well as a link to the Frontiers of Veterinary Science article can be access through SHIC's June eNewsletter at swinehealth.org.
Source : Farmscape.ca