How is the U.S. Swine Industry Staying A Step Ahead When It Comes to Swine Health?

By Abbey Canon

NPPC’s Director of Animal Health Anna Forseth shares why developing a H5N1 response plan for the swine industry and establishing the National Swine Health Strategy have been two major priorities for the industry this year.

Keeping one step ahead of the health of the U.S. swine herd is no easy task. Anna Forseth, DVM, National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) director of animal health, says developing a highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) response plan for the swine industry and establishing the National Swine Health Strategy have been two major priorities this year.

H5N1 Response Plan

“We’ve been watching the devastation of H5N1 in the poultry sector, and more recently, the detection of H5N1 in the dairy industry,” Forseth says. “And all the while thinking, how might this impact the swine industry should we get a detection, especially in the commercial swine sector?”