The Swine Health Information Center is encouraging pork producers to be aware of the resources available to address Japanese encephalitis virus should it be identified in the United States.
The Swine Health Information Center will be participating in the second in a series of three mosquito-borne disease webinars planned for this summer by the Center for Food Security and Public Health, Thursday August 20th at 2:00 pm central time.
SHIC Associate Director Dr. Lisa Becton says the intent of the webinar series is to raise awareness of emerging and transboundary diseases and specifically focuses on Japanese encephalitis virus.
Quote-Dr. Lisa Becton-Swine Health Information Center:
The Center for Food Security and Public Health, based out of Iowa State University, are holding these webinars and they really are focusing on a three-part series that brings multiple experts together in a One Health approach to address Japanese encephalitis virus.
SHIC is participating in this effort to highlight activities for Japanese encephalitis virus, including the research programs, research outcomes and fact sheets that are available for all stakeholders, as well as monthly monitoring on a global aspect.
This is open to all stakeholders, but also really focuses on veterinarians, emergency responders, diagnostic staff, public health and other stakeholders interested in this pathogen.
Again, this webinar series really focuses on Japanese encephalitis virus.
It is a mosquito-borne virus with a reservoir in waterfowl but it can also infect many species, such as pigs, horses and people.
The goal of the webinar is really to help prepare for potential detection in the United States.
Dr. Becton acknowledges, while Japanese encephalitis has not been detected in the United States, several studies have shown the risks are present due to several factors, including global expansion across the world, the similarity of the U.S. habitat to that of Australia, which experienced an outbreak in 2022, and increased global trade and the movement of containers and ships that could harbour mosquitos that could transmit the virus.
Details can be accessed through SHIC's July eNewsletter at swinehealth.org.
Source : Farmscape.ca