By Bruce Cochrane
The Executive Director of the U.S. based Swine Health Information Center says in 2016 the organization will focus on swine disease preparedness, response, analysis and monitoring.
The Swine health Information Center's 2016 strategic plan was outlined as part of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians annual general meeting which wrapped up yesterday in New Orleans.
Swine Health Information Center Executive Director Dr. Paul Sundberg says 1.6 million dollars has been committed in 2016 for research and 1.7 million dollars for program and support projects focusing on disease preparedness, response, analysis and monitoring.
Swine Health Information Center-Dr. Paul Sundberg:
Within the 2016 plan of work there are some real highlights in there.
One is the swine disease metrics in which we listed 40 some different viruses that the U.S. herd either has or may be at risk of and the research that is needed in order to be better prepared should one of those viruses get into the country.
Another effort that we're going to have with the veterinary diagnostic laboratories is the standardization of the reporting of the tests that they do when they get samples in from cases that involve pigs.
The system that's used in 1 diagnostic lab may not be the system that's used in another.
In order to be able to better compile and therefore analyze test results across the country it will be an advantage to have those test results all standardized.
The third thing that we're offering is the opportunity for further diagnostic fee support in cases where a veterinarian hasn't been able to reach a satisfactory diagnosis for what ever reason and so the Swine Health Information Center is going to offer support for continued diagnostic fees in those cases.
For more on the work of the Swine Health Information Center and its 2016 plan visit swinehealth.org.
Source: Farmscape
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