33 Pork News & Views Pork News & Views Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Better Pork | August 2024 Before loading, consider using Ontario Pork’s online Load Density Calculator to determine how many pigs may be placed in each compartment based on the average weight of the animals and the highest temperature and humidity levels expected during transport. You can find the Load Density Calculator at: https://www.ontariopork.on.ca/Resources/Transportation/Calculator. For more information on heat stress and precautions you can take this summer, visit: Avoiding Production Losses in Swine Due to Heat Stress (OMAFA): https://www.ontario.ca/page/ avoid-production-losses-swinedue-heat-stress Hailey Lewke, Summer Livestock Assistant Senecavirus A Update Background Also known as Seneca Valley Virus, Senecavirus A (SVA) is related to Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus and Swine Vesicular Disease Virus. There are no human health and food safety concerns associated with this disease. It can, however, present clinical signs (vesiclules/ blisters on the snout, the coronary band where the leg meets the foot, or teats of recently farrowed sows) that may lead to alarm regarding the possibility of a vesicular foreign animal disease emergence in Canada. Without positive identification of Senecavirus A as the cause, the presence of lesions at the farm, assembly yards, or processing plants could halt pig flow until CFIA takes samples and performs tests to rule out catastrophic foreign animal disease alternatives such as Footand-Mouth Disease. SVA has been reported in the US and other countries and a recent report of a detection of Senacavirus A (SVA) on a nursery site in Quebec highlights the importance of vigilance and understanding what to do if SVA is suspected. This detection is a continuation of this virus causing problems in Quebec. The 2024 Q1 Canadian Swine Health Intelligence Network (CSHIN, www.cshin.ca) report provides a summarized timeline of the events that have occurred in Quebec and the steps that the were taken to test and rule out a foreign animal disease and create a plan of action to manage the situation. Today the following is still in place to monitor for SVA in Quebec: Preventive environmental SVA PCR testing to monitor for dise- ase must continue at the abattoir loading docks, in the truck wash bay and in the cull sow assembly yard. Good biosecurity measures are the key to preventing new disease detections and this has been messaged to Quebec swine producers, veterinarians, and swine transporters What you need to know (Information provided here on the disease, clinical signs, and other advice is from the Canada Pork Council Swine Health Bulletin – Seneca Valley Virus¸ posted at oahn.ca under Swine-Resources-Animal Health and Diseases). Clinical signs The following are examples of clinical signs to look for if producers suspect that they might have SVA in their facility. These signs may vary among cases. When in doubt, producers should consult with their veterinarian for proper diagnostics. Neonatal pigs: Increased mortality in litters less than 7 days of age Become infected shortly after birth Diarrhea may or may not be associated with it Morbidity and mortality can range from 30% to 70% for short periods of time Breeders, Growers and Finishers: Loss of appetite Fever Lethargy Intact or ruptured vesicles (blis- ters) on snout, mouth, feet or teats Lesions on feet surrounding the coronary bands Ulceration of hoof wall Deep nail bed hemorrhages Lameness ranging from slight discomfort to movement refusal Loose foot pads which may lead ot loss of hooves Transmission It is still uncleare how the disease is transmitted. However, it is important to strengthen biosecurity measures and maintain best management practices to prevent possible transmission of this disease. It is important for producers to be vigilant and regularly monitor their animals in order to quickly report any suspicion. What to do if suspected If SVA or any other type of vesiclular foreign animal disease is suspected, it is important to immediately report this to your herd veterinarian and the CFIA. Any failure to report could lead to missing a potential foreign animal disease infection which could have huge impacts for the industry. Biosecurity measures should be reviewed and movement from the farm should be halted. No sick, lame or animals with active and/or healing vesicular lesions should be sent out and that includes movement to slaughter. CFIA will investigate all suspect cases which may include taking samples to rule out vesicular foreign animal diseases. The test results usually become available within 24 hours from the time the samples reach the CFIA laboratory.
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