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The family Anelloviridae includes a number of viruses infecting humans ( Torque teno viruses, TTV) and other animals including swine ( Torque teno sus viruses, TTSuV). Two genetically distinct TTSuV species have been identified from swine thus far ( TTSuV1 and TTSuVk2), although their definitive association with disease remains debatable. In 2012, a novel TTSuV species was identified from commercial swine serum and classified in the genus Kappatorquevirus as TTSuVk2b. The other Kappatorquevirus species, TTSuVk2a, has been associated with post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome ( PMWS) when coinfected with porcine circovirus type 2 ( PCV2). Therefore, in this study, we initially amplified a portion of TTSuVk2b ORF1 and, subsequently, assessed the molecular prevalence of the virus in pigs in the United States. A total of 127 serum and 115 tissue samples were obtained from pigs with PMWS or mulberry heart disease ( MHD) in six states and tested by PCR for the presence of TTSuVk2b DNA. Approximately 27.6% of the serum and 21.7% of tissue samples tested positive for TTSuVk2b DNA, and the positive products were confirmed by sequencing. However, we did not detect a correlation between TTSuVk2b infection and PMWS or MHD. The near full-length genomic sequence of US TTSuVk2b was determined, and sequence analysis revealed that the US TTSuVk2b isolates were 95% identical to the TTSuVk2b isolate from Spain, with most of the variations clustering in ORF1. We conclude that the novel TTSuVk2b species is present in pigs in the United States and its potential association with a disease warrants further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Senecavirus A (SVA), previously known as Seneca Valley virus, was first isolated in the United States in 2002. SVA was associated with porcine idiopathic vesicular disease in Canada and the USA in 2007 and 2012, respectively. Recent increase in SVA outbreaks resulting in neonatal mortality of piglets and/or vesicular lesions in sows in Brazil, the USA and Canada point to the necessity to study the pathogenicity and molecular epidemiology of the virus. Here, we report the analysis of the complete coding sequences of SVA from 2 clinical cases and 9 assembly yard environmental samples collected in 2015 in Canada, along with 22 previously released complete genomes in the GenBank. With this combined data set, the evolution of the SVA over a 12-month period in 2015/2016 was evaluated. These SVA isolates were characterized by a rapid accumulation of genetic variations driven mainly by a high nucleotide substitution rate and purifying selection. The SVA sequences clustered in clearly defined geographical areas with reported cases of SVA infection. No transmission links were identified between assembly yards, suggesting that point source introductions may have occurred. In addition, 25 fixed non-synonymous mutations were identified across all analyzed strains when compared to the prototype SVA strain (SVV-001). This study highlights the importance of monitoring SVA mutations for their role in increased virulence and impact on SVA diagnostics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porcine kobuvirus has been detected from pig fecal samples in the USA, but there is still no information on the full-length genomes. In this study, we characterized the first complete genomic sequence of a US porcine kobuvirus strain OH/RV50/2011. The viral genome is 8123 nucleotides (nt) long, including a 576-nt 5′-untranslated region (UTR), a 7380-nt polyprotein encoding sequence, and a 167-nt 3′-UTR. A complete genome sequence alignment suggested that two types of porcine kobuviruses were found based on whether a 30-aa deletion existed in the 2B encoding region. Furthermore, several conserved motifs that can be used for the design of universal kobuvirus or porcine kobuvirus-specific primers were verified in non-structural protein genes. Phylogenetic analysis based on the complete genome sequence showed that RV50 was grouped with other porcine kobuviruses and more closely related to Chinese strains. Secondary structure analysis of the 5′-UTR showed that RV50 has three stem-loop domains in the first 108 nt and has a potential hepacivirus-/pestivirus-like type IV group-B-like internal ribosomal entry site, like the porcine kobuvirus prototype strain S-1. Codon usage analysis showed that the most preferred usage tends to be C or U at the end of a codon in a porcine kobuvirus genome. These results will be useful in understanding the evolution of porcine kobuviruses . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), a member of the genera Alphacoronavirus in the family Coronaviridae , causes acute diarrhea/vomiting, dehydration and high mortality in seronegative neonatal piglets. For the last three decades, PEDV infection has resulted in significant economic losses in the European and Asian pig industries, but in 2013–2014 the disease was also reported in the US, Canada and Mexico. The PED epidemic in the US, from April 2013 to the present, has led to the loss of more than 10% of the US pig population. The disappearance and re-emergence of epidemic PED indicates that the virus is able to escape from current vaccination protocols, biosecurity and control systems. Endemic PED is a significant problem, which is exacerbated by the emergence (or potential importation) of multiple PEDV variants. Epidemic PEDV strains spread rapidly and cause a high number of pig deaths. These strains are highly enteropathogenic and acutely infect villous epithelial cells of the entire small and large intestines although the jejunum and ileum are the primary sites. PEDV infections cause acute, severe atrophic enteritis accompanied by viremia that leads to profound diarrhea and vomiting, followed by extensive dehydration, which is the major cause of death in nursing piglets. A comprehensive understanding of the pathogenic characteristics of epidemic or endemic PEDV strains is needed to prevent and control the disease in affected regions and to develop an effective vaccine. This review focuses on the etiology, epidemiology, disease mechanisms and pathogenesis as well as immunoprophylaxis against PEDV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To measure incidence and estimate temporal and spatial dynamics of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection in US sow herds. ANIMALS 371 sow herds in the United States from 14 production companies. PROCEDURES The exponentially weighted moving average was used to monitor incident PRRSV infections for onset of an epidemic. The spatial scan statistic was used to identify areas at significantly high risk of PRRS epidemics. A %2 test was used to estimate whether there were significant differences in the quarterly and annual PRRS incidence among time periods, and a bivariable logistic regression model was used to estimate whether PRRSV infection during a given year increased the odds of that herd being infected in the following year. RESULTS During the 4-year period of this study, 29% (91/319; 2009 to 2010), 33% (106/325; 2010 to 2011), 38% (135/355; 2011 to 2012), and 32% (117/371; 2012 to 2013) of the herds reported new infections. Weekly incidence was low during spring and summer and high during fall and winter. The exponentially weighted moving average signaled the onset of a PRRSV epidemic during the middle 2 weeks of October each year. Disease incidence was spatially clustered. Infection in the previous year increased the odds of infection in 2010 to 2011 and 2011 to 2012. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated a striking repeatability in annual PRRSV temporal and spatial patterns across 4 years of data among herds from 14 production companies, which suggested that efforts to control PRRSV at a regional level should continue to be supported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the presence in US pigs of rotavirus H (RVH), identified in pigs in Japan and Brazil. From 204 samples collected during 2006-2009, we identified RVH in 15% of fecal samples from 10 US states, suggesting that RVH has circulated in the United States since 2002, but probably longer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2010, researchers reported that the two US-licensed rotavirus vaccines contained DNA or DNA fragments from porcine circovirus (PCV). Although PCV, a common virus among pigs, is not thought to cause illness in humans, these findings raised several safety concerns. In this study, we sought to determine whether viruses, including PCV, could be detected in ileal tissue samples of children vaccinated with one of the two rotavirus vaccines. A broad spectrum, novel DNA detection technology, the Lawrence LivermoreMicrobial Detection Array (LLMDA), was utilized, and confirmation of viral pathogens using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted. The LLMDA technology was recently used to identify PCV from one rotavirus vaccine. Ileal tissue samples were analyzed from21 subjects, aged 15-62 months. PCV was not detected in any ileal tissue samples by the LLMDA or PCR. LLMDA identified a human rotavirus A from one of the vaccinated subjects, which is likely due to a recent infection from a wild type rotavirus. LLMDA also identified human parechovirus, a common gastroenteritis viral infection, from two subjects. Additionally, LLMDA detected common gastrointestinal bacterial organisms from the Enterobacteriaceae, Bacteroidaceae, and Streptococcaceae families from several subjects. This study provides a survey of viral and bacterial pathogens from pediatric ileal samples, and may shed light on future studies to identify pathogen associations with pediatric vaccinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A novel porcine parvovirus designated as porcine parvovirus 2 (PPV2) was initially identified in Myanmar in 2001, in China during 2006–2007, and in Hungary in 2012. To investigate the presence and prevalence of PPV2 in the USA, a novel TaqMan® real-time PCR method was developed and used for a PPV2 survey using 483 lung samples, 185 fecal samples and 122 sera collected from pigs on 295 farms in 18 U.S. states. The overall prevalence of PPV2 was 20.7% (100/483) in lung samples and 7.6% (14/185) in fecal samples obtained from pigs of different age groups, and 1.6% (2/122) in sera or thoracic fluids obtained from neonatal pigs. Further genomic sequence comparison demonstrated that the 2011 U.S. PPV2 sequences have nucleotide identities of 95.4–97.7% with the 2006–2007 strains detected in China while the nucleotide identity was 94.7% with the 2001 strain detected in Myanmar, indicating persistent evolution of the virus. Phylogenetic and sequence homology analyses demonstrated a close relationship of PPV2 with members of the proposed genus PARV4-like virus, and the classification of PPV2 into this proposed genus is suggested. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The commonality of influenza A virus (IAV) exposure and vaccination on swine farms in the United States ensures that the majority of neonatal pigs will have some degree of maternal immunity to IAV. The influence of maternal immunity on IAV transmission in neonatal pig populations will impact virus prevalence and infection dynamics across pig populations. The main objective of this study was to assess the impact of maternally derived immunity on IAV transmission in an experimental setting. Neonatal pigs suckled colostrum and derived maternal (passive) immunity from sows in one of three treatment groups: (a) non-vaccinated control (CTRL) or vaccinated with (b) homologous (PASSV-HOM) or (c) heterologous (PASSV-HET) inactivated experimental IAV vaccines. Sentinel neonatal pigs derived from the groups above were challenged with IAV via direct contact with an experimentally infected pig (seeder pig) and monitored for IAV infection daily via nasal swab sampling. A susceptible-infectious-recovered (SIR) experimental model was used to obtain and estimate transmission parameters in each treatment group via a generalized linear model. All sentinel pigs in the CTRL (30/30) and PASSV-HET (30/30) groups were infected with IAV following contact with the seeder pigs and the reproduction ratio estimates (95% confidence interval) were 10.4 (6.6–15.8) and 7.1 (4.2–11.3), respectively. In contrast, 1/20 sentinel pigs in the PASSV-HOM group was infected following contact with the seeder pigs and the reproduction ratio estimate was significantly lower compared to the CTRL and PASSV-HET groups at 0.8 (0.1–3.7). Under the conditions of this study, IAV transmission was reduced in neonatal pigs with homologous maternal immunity compared to seronegative neonatal pigs and pigs with heterologous maternal immunity as defined in this study. This study provides estimates for IAV transmission in pigs with differing types of maternal immunity which may describe the influence of maternal immunity on IAV prevalence and infection dynamics in pig populations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Rotavirus (RV) is an important cause of gastrointestinal disease in animals and humans. In this study, we developed an RT-PCR to detect RV group B (RVB) and characterized the VP7 (G) gene segment detected in porcine samples. One hundred seventy three samples were tested for RV group A (RVA), RVB, and C (RVC) by RT-PCR and examined for RV-like lesion using histopathology. A majority (86.4%) of the samples had mixed RV infections and co-infections of RVA/RVB/RVC were detected at a higher rate (24.3%) than previously reported. RVB was identified in 46.8% of the 173 samples. An adapted VP7 classification was developed using previously published (n=57) and newly sequenced (n=68) RVB strains, resulting in 20 G genotypes based on an 80% nucleotide identity cutoff value. Our results revealed a broad genetic diversity of porcine RVB strains, suggesting RVB has been the cause of common/pre-existing, yet undiagnosed, disease in pigs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Infection with the Torque teno sus virus (TTSuV) is believed to be common yet limited information is available on the epidemiology of TTSuV. The objectives of this study were to develop novel and improve existing diagnostic methods for TTSuV infection and to investigate the prevalence of TTSuV species 1 (TTSuV1) and 2 (TTSuV2) in the USA. Three hundred and four blood or fetal thoracic fluid samples were collected from pigs on 40 US farms in 12 States. Samples were collected from fetuses and in pre-suckle neonates (n =73), suckling pigs (1–20 days of age; n =27), nursery pigs (21–55 days of age; n =60), finisher pigs (8–25 weeks of age; n =90) and adults (>25 weeks of age; n =54). Samples were tested by a new quantitative differential real-time PCR for TTSuV1 and TTSuV2 DNA and by ELISA for detection of anti-TTSuV2-antibodies. The prevalence of TTSuV1 DNA ranged from 8.2% (fetuses and neonates) to 81% (finisher pigs) and the prevalence of TTSuV2 DNA ranged from 3.7% (suckling pigs) to 67% (finisher pigs). Evidence of fetal TTSuV infection was minimal. Mixed infection of TTSuV1 and TTSuV2 was seen in 6.7% of the nursery pigs, 52.2% of the finisher pigs, and 22.2% of the mature pigs. The prevalence of TTSuV1 was higher than that of TTSuV2. Anti-TTSuV2 antibodies were not detected in the fetuses and neonates and the seroprevalence of TTSuV2 was between 3.8% and 100% in growing pigs. The results of this study indicate that vertical transmission may not be a main route of TTSuV transmission in pigs in the USA. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents a research that investigates the efficacy of commercial antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in detecting Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in the U.S. Researchers experimented with swine exposed to PRRSV to identify concentrations of PRRSV. Moreover, they found that ELISA is effective in monitoring PRRSV.

Summary [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serologic studies for swine influenza viruses (SIVs) in humans with occupational exposure to swine have been reported from the Americas but not from Europe. We compared levels of neutralizing antibodies against 3 influenza viruses--pandemic (H1N1) 2009, an avian-like enzootic subtype H1N1 SIV, and a 2007-08 seasonal subtype H1N1--in 211 persons with swine contact and 224 matched controls in Luxembourg. Persons whose profession involved contact with swine had more neutralizing antibodies against SIV and pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus than did the controls. Controls also had antibodies against these viruses although exposure to them was unlikely. Antibodies against SIV and pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus correlated with each other but not with seasonal subtype H1N1 virus. Sequential exposure to variants of seasonal influenza (H1N1) viruses may have increased chances for serologic cross-reactivity with antigenically distinct viruses. Further studies are needed to determine the extent to which serologic responses correlate with infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discovery of a novel influenza strain at Fort Dix, New Jersey, in 1976—dubbed Swine Flu—prompted differing responses from national and international health organizations. The United States crafted a vaccination campaign to inoculate every citizen; conversely, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended a ‘wait and see’ policy. An examination of the WHO conference that issued the influenza policy reveals the decision was driven by the limits of its member states' ability to produce inactivated vaccine and concern over the premature use of unstable live-virus vaccines. The WHO recommendation's reliance upon an uneven surveillance system would have replicated the 1957 and 1968 vaccination failures if a pandemic had appeared. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is the primary causative agent for porcine circovirusassociated disease (PCVAD). PCVAD has been the cause of considerable economic losses to the pork industry worldwide. The disease is primarily characterized by wasting, enlarged lymph nodes, jaundice and weight loss in affected weanling pigs. Several other complex syndromes involving reproductive failure, enteritis, pneumonia and necrotizing dermatitis have also been associated with PCV2 infection. Lymphoid depletion, which is the hallmark lesion of PCVAD, predisposes the host to immunosuppression. Disease progression is further complicated by co-infections with other bacterial and viral pathogens. Despite the availability of effective vaccines for the last 2 years, newly emerging strains of the virus have been reported to cause more severe outbreaks in parts of the USA and Canada. While knowledge of the biology and pathogenesis of PCV2 has progressed considerably over the last 12 years since the disease was recognized, many questions still remain to be answered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In August 2007, pigs and people became clinically affected by an influenza-like illness during attendance at an Ohio county fair. Influenza A virus was identified from pigs and people, and the virus isolates were characterized as swine H1N1 similar to swine viruses currently circulating in the U.S. pig population. The swine isolate, A/SW/OH/511445/2007 (OH07), was evaluated in an experimental challenge and transmission study reported here. Our results indicate that the OH07 virus was pathogenic in pigs, was transmissible among pigs, and failed to cross-react with many swine H1 anti-sera. Naturally exposed pigs shed virus as early as 3 days and as long as 7 days after contact with experimentally infected pigs. This suggests there was opportunity for exposure of people handling the pigs at the fair. The molecular analysis of the OH07 isolates demonstrated that the eight gene segments were similar to those of currently circulating triple reassortant swine influenza viruses. However, numerous nucleotide changes leading to amino acid changes were demonstrated in the HA gene and throughout the genome as compared to contemporary swine viruses in the same genetic cluster. It remains unknown if any of the amino acid changes were related to the ability of this virus to infect people. The characteristics of the OH07 virus in our pig experimental model as well as the documented human transmission warrant close monitoring of the spread of this virus in pig and human populations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses a study which examined the impact of Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus vaccination (PRRSV) on porcine circovirus associated disease (PCVAD) affected pigs in the U.S. PRRSV is a major pathogen of swine that belongs to the family Arteriviridae. Results showed that peak wasting disease occurred between 12 and 16 weeks of age. No significant difference was found in the time point of peak disease between PRRS vaccinated and unvaccinated herds. Vaccination of pigs against PRRS also had no effect on polymerase chain reaction quantitation for PCV-2 in 4-12 week old pigs.

Objective—To estimate the annual cost of infections attributable to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus to US swine producers. Design—Economic analysis. Sample Population—Data on the health and productivity of PRRS-affected and PRRS-unaffected breeding herds and growing-pig populations were collected from a convenience sample of swine farms in the midwestern United States. Procedure—Health and productivity variables of PRRS-affected and PRRS-unaffected swine farms were analyzed to estimate the impact of PRRS on specific farms. National estimates of PRRS incidence were then used to determine the annual economic impact of PRRS on US swine producers. Results—PRRS affected breeding herds and growing pig populations as measured by a decrease in reproductive health, an increase in deaths, and reductions in the rate and efficiency of growth. Total annual economic impact of these effects on US swine producers was estimated at $66.75 million in breeding herds and $493.57 million in growing-pig populations. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—PRRS imposes a substantial financial burden on US swine producers and causes approximately $560.32 million in losses each year. By comparison, prior to eradication, annual losses attributable to classical swine fever (hog cholera) and pseudorabies were estimated at $364.09 million and $36.27 million, respectively (adjusted on the basis of year 2004 dollars). Current PRRS control strategies are not predictably successful; thus, PRRS-associated losses will continue into the future. Research to improve our understanding of ecologic and epidemiologic characteristics of the PRRS virus and technologic advances (vaccines and diagnostic tests) to prevent clinical effects are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) was first identified in Hong Kong in a regional surveillance study for Coronaviruses in 2012 and was detected for the first time in United States (US) swine in February 2014. However, it remains unknown if PDCoV had been introduced into the US prior to that time period. In the present study, 1734 clinical samples (903 cases) submitted to the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (ISU VDL) for enteric disease diagnosis between October 2012 and December 2013 were tested retrospectively for PDCoV using a virus-specific real-time reverse transcription (RT) PCR targeting conserved region of the membrane gene. PDCoV genome was first detected in a fecal sample collected on August 19th 2013 from Minnesota. Subsequently, PDCoV was observed in samples collected on August 20th and August 27th from Iowa and on August 29th from Illinois. Therefore, with available samples submitted to the ISU VDL, it can be inferred that PDCoV has been present in US swine at least since August 2013. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite numerous cases of human infection with Streptococcus suis worldwide, human disease is rarely diagnosed in North America. We studied 73 swine-exposed and 67 non-swine-exposed US adults for antibodies to S. suis serotype 2. Serologic data suggest that human infection with S. suis occurs more frequently than currently documented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the U.S. feed supply is the safest in the world, there is still opportunity for improvement. Some practical methods to improve feed safety include: 1) prioritizing ingredient safety; 2) controlling dust and traffic; and 3) strategically utilizing mitigants. First, feed manufacturers must not compromise on ingredient safety. Once present, hazards such as mycotoxins and biological pathogens cannot be easily eliminated. Contaminated feed played a pivotal role in the spread of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) in 2013 to 2014 (Bowman et al., 2015). Recently, Dee et al. (2017, 2018) demonstrated common feed ingredients can be vectors for transboundary diseases. In these cases, exclusion of the pathogen should be the priority strategy to prevent foreign animal disease entry into the U.S. through feed ingredients. Second, facilities must control dust and traffic flow. In a survey of 11 different feed mills producing livestock feed, Boccatto et al. (2017) found that swabs of the ingredient pit, floors, and worker shoes had the greatest prevalence of Salmonella spp. of all mill locations tested (8 to 16% positive rate). Biological hazards be spread by dust to feed mill surfaces. Huss et al. (2016) demonstrated that manufacturing feed with a Salmonella spp.-contaminated ingredient increased (P<0.05) the number of Salmonella spp.-positive feed mill surfaces from 10% to over 40%. Similarly, Schumacher et al. (2017) demonstrated that introducing PEDV into a mixer resulted in an increase (P<0.05) of PEDV-contaminated feed mill surfaces from 0 to over 90%. Gebhardt et al. (2017) later demonstrated that dust collected from these surfaces was capable of causing PEDV infection. Regardless if surfaces were contaminated with Salmonella spp. or PEDV-contaminated, liquid cleaning and sanitizing was needed to fully eliminate pathogens from surfaces. Finally, facilities should strategically use mitigation to further reduce risk of feed safety hazards. Yoder et al (2018) demonstrated that cleaning mycotoxin-contaminated corn reduced (P<0.05) aflatoxin by 26% and fumonisin by 45%. However, this resulted high contamination in screenings. Cochrane et al. (2015, 2016) showed that pelleting reduced (P<0.05) Salmonella spp. and PEDV, but care must be taken to not re-contaminate feed during cooling or transport. Finally, chemical additives, such as formaldehyde-type products and medium chain fatty acids reduce (P<0.05) the risk of bacteria and PEDV, but some have additional worker safety and logistical concerns. In summary, the U.S. feed supply is extremely safe, but feed mills should take proactive approaches to maintain these high standards of safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article summarizes new data on the extent of H1N1 or swine flu virus infection as of September 2009. According to a U.S. study of 642 cases with ages ranging from three months to 81 years, 60% are 18 years old and below and symptoms include fever, cough and sore throat. Nine percent of 399 patients seen in hospital required hospitalization while two patients died. It was also confirmed that human to human transmission is by droplet contact and proper hand hygiene is the best preventative approach to avoid infection.

The article presents a study which aims to explore the viability of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in non-processed pig meat in the U.S. Despite of the limitations of the study, it was demonstrated that PRRSV can survive in fresh pork at refrigerator temperatures and that the manipulation of meat juice may increase the risk of viral spread from personnel to pigs.

The article focuses on the efforts of Dr. Scott Dee, president of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, in eliminating the costly porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus from North America. Dee will prioritize in finding a resolution to this problem for the year 2006. Aside from PRRS, the president is working to address some issues in the swine industry, particularly swine welfare.

The article focuses on the efforts of American Association of Swine Veterinarians to eliminate the Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) virus. PPRS is a significant production-limiting disease of seine that is estimated to cost the U.S. industry approximately 560 million dollars a year. To resolve the problem, the board then formed the PPRS Eradication Task Force, which will be the one to primarily handle and provide solution to the problem covering North America.

This article reports that agricultural workers are at increased risk of infection with animal flu viruses. Farmers, veterinarians, and meat processors who routinely come into contact with pigs in their jobs have a markedly increased risk of infection from flu viruses that infect pigs, according to a study funded in part by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, one of the U.S. National Institutes of Health. While the findings are not entirely unexpected, the study authors assert that the strikingly higher risk of infection, coupled with the fact that pigs can be infected by swine viruses, bird viruses, and human flu viruses--thereby acting as a virtual virus mixing bowl, especially on farms where pigs, chickens, and people coexist is a potential public health concern. Swine influenza infections generally produce mild or no symptoms in both pigs and humans. Exposure to swine flu virus at a 1988 Wisconsin county fair, however, resulted in serious illness for 50 swine exhibitors and three of their family members; one previously healthy woman who became infected died.

Discusses a plan for dealing with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS). Effectiveness of planned exposure which aims to stimulate active immunity by inducing subclinical to mild clinical disease by injecting a swine herd with live strains of PRRS virus; Empowerment of united States federal officials with authority over the interstate movement of animals, organisms and vectors.

The article reports on the incidence of vesicular virus in pigs in several herds in the U.S. in 2015.

The article reports on the challenges associated with porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) in the U.S. Luc Dufresne, senior director of health assurance for Seaboard Foods, said challenges associated with PED surpass even the challenges of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome. The PED virus entered the U.S. in spring 2013 and proved deadly for the youngest pigs, killing nearly all neonatal pigs in many herds.

The article reports that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has declared that more than 300 people have died from the new pandemic swine flu virus, H1N1. CDC said that 43,771 cases of swine influenza had been officially confirmed, with 302 deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) said the pandemic has infected people in 160 countries, killing 800 people.

The article reports on the identification of H2N3, a new strain of swine influenza that belongs to the group of H2 influenza viruses. The new strain is composed of avian and swine influenza genes according to U.S. Agricultural Research Service veterinarians who conducted the molecular study of the virus. They observed that avian H2 and N3 gene segments mixed with gene segments from common swine influenza viruses gave the H2N3 viruses the ability to infect swine.

The recent emergence of a unique group of North American type 1 porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in the United States presents new disease control problems for a swine industry that has already been impacted seriously by North American type 2 PRRSV. In this study, a full-length cDNA infectious clone was generated from a low-virulence North American type 1 PRRSV isolate, SD01-08. In vitro studies demonstrated that the cloned virus maintained growth properties similar to those of the parental virus. Virological, pathological, and immunological observations from animals challenged with cloned viruses were similar to those from animals challenged with the parental virus and a modified live virus vaccine. To further explore the potential use as a viral backbone for expressing foreign genes, the green fluorescent protein (GFP) was inserted into a unique deletion site located at amino acid positions 348 and 349 of the predicted Nsp2 region in the virus, and expression of the Nsp2-GFP fusion protein was visualized by fluorescent microscopy. The availability of this North American type 1 infectious clone provides an important research tool for further study of the basic viral biology and pathogenic mechanisms of this group of type 1 PRRSV in the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article announces the recipients of a research funding for studies of porcine circovirus-associated disease awarded by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. in the U.S. The veterinarians who received the grants were Darwin L. Reicks and Tanja Opriessnig. Proposals were selected by an independent review board on the basis of criteria, such as the potential for economic impact to the swine industry.