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VIDO-InterVac Hopes to Start Testing New ASF Treatments on Animals Next Year

VIDO-InterVac hopes to be ready to begin testing new approaches for dealing with African Swine Fever on animals next year. In 2013 the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre was cleared to work with level 3 pathogens and, in the fall of 2019, it received clearance to work with African Swine Fever.
 
Dr. Volker Gerdts, the Director and CEO of VIDO-InterVac, says VIDO is working with level three diseases, both human and animal, referred to in the animal sector as level three ag.
 
Clip-Dr. Volker Gerdts-VIDO-InterVac:
 
They're the most significant diseases like African Swine Fever, Classical Swine Fever and so on. The addition to this is that many of these diseases are also foreign to Canada or to North America and therefore are considered foreign animal diseases and so the restriction is that work with foreign animal diseases is only permitted in government labs.
 
The significance, I think, is recognition that VIDO has one of the most advanced high containment facilities in the world right here in Saskatoon. It's a 150 million dollar facility that was initially funded by the federal government of Canada and the province of Saskatchewan and the city of Saskatoon.
 
It's specifically designed to work with level three pathogens. What that means is everything is built to prevent any pathogens from ever getting out of this facility. This includes all fluids, all solid, all animal materials. Everything is completely destroyed to ensure that no pathogen will ever get out.
Source : Farmscape

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Zinc Oxide Reduction and ABC Dynamics in Swine Nutrition - Dr. Mike Tokach & Ethan Stas

Video: Zinc Oxide Reduction and ABC Dynamics in Swine Nutrition - Dr. Mike Tokach & Ethan Stas

Understanding acid binding capacity (ABC) is key in swine nutrition. This crucial factor significantly affects pig gut health and overall wellness. Adjusting ABC helps nutritionists improve feed efficiency and lessen dependence on additives like zinc oxide. In this episode, Dr. Mike Tokach and Ph.D. student Ethan Stas explored the ABC of common pig feeds. They highlighted the importance of careful ingredient selection to maintain optimal ABC levels, especially for reducing zinc oxide use. This knowledge is essential for those aiming to enhance swine diets for better health and environmental care.