The swine industry has mobilized a proactive, cross-sector response to the ongoing risk of H5N1, collaborating with animal and public health experts to protect pigs, people and the food supply. Through weekly coordination, research investment and biosecurity efforts, the industry is preparing for any potential detection in the U.S. swine herd.
In spring 2024, H5N1, a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), was diagnosed in Texas dairy herds. The cross-species outbreak spread in the dairy industry due to animal movements, reaching 16 additional states by December 2024. There were also 66 human cases of H5N1 diagnosed in 2024, beginning in Texas, and the swine industry took notice.
Soon after the early H5N1 outbreaks in dairy, a working group among pork industry organizations was convened. Weekly conference calls among representatives of National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), National Pork Board (NPB), American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV), the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) and the Meat Institute focused on outbreak updates, preparedness and response efforts.
These weekly calls continue more than a year later with the same commitment to preventing an H5N1 outbreak in swine, protecting pork producers and workers, preparing the industry response and learning how H5N1 may express itself in swine.
Taking a Proactive Approach
Their effort also includes monitoring how H5N1 affects both the avian and dairy industries. The working group is collaborating with representatives of the poultry and dairy industries to share information. “We are attending H5N1-focused meetings across the country to stay up to date and understand how the swine industry will need to respond in the event of an outbreak,” said Marisa Rotolo, DVM, PhD, director of swine health at NPB.
“The swine industry is very proactive,” Rotolo said. “We started working with influenza experts, producers, state pork organization executives, as well as federal and state animal health officials, immediately. We asked, ‘What will it look like if H5N1 is in the U.S. swine herd?’” She noted H5N1 is classified as a foreign animal disease (FAD) in poultry, which guides the working group’s planning and discovery processes.
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