The Swine Health Information Center's Rapid Response Program, an important part of SHIC-supported emerging disease preparedness, offers swine disease outbreak investigations combining biosecurity hazard analysis with outbreak analysis. The program covers the United States with six defined regions. Due to the region's small size, trained Rapid Response Team members from within the region can drive to outbreaks and be on site within 72 hours of invitation by the affected producer.

Rapid Response Teams, volunteer groups of specifically-trained industry experts, quickly carry out Rapid Response Program outbreak investigations, analyzing the patterns and pathways of entry for disease-causing pathogens in affected herds. SHIC trains, maintains and funds the teams to provide a coordinated industry disease response that can make anonymized recommendations to prevent infection of other swine units. Those recommendations can be rapidly circulated industry wide. Team members update training regularly and remain ready to respond when the need arises.

When responding to a disease outbreak, Rapid Response Team members will:

The resources used for the Rapid Response Team online training are available for all, regardless of interest in becoming a team member. By registering on the SHIC website, you can access the training modules which serve as an excellent aid for developing your own rapid response protocol.

To learn more about the SHIC Rapid Response Program, or initiate a rapid response investigation, contact SHIC Executive Director Paul Sundberg or the program coordinator, Derald Holtkamp.

SHIC, launched by the National Pork Board in 2015 solely with Pork Checkoff funding, continues to focus efforts on prevention, preparedness and response to novel and emerging swine disease for the benefit of U.S. swine health. SHIC is funded by America's pork producers to fulfill its mission to protect and enhance the health of the U.S. swine herd. 

Source: Swine Health Information Center, which is solely responsible for the information provided, and wholly owns the information. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.