The recent challenges facing the poultry industry following the introduction of high path avian influenza and the pandemic H1N1 outbreak in 2009 remind us of the significant impact influenza can have on animal and public health.
The American Association of Swine Veterinarians partnered with the Iowa State University Center for Food Security and Public Health, the National Pork Board and the USDA to produce a collection of educational materials as an update on the diagnostic and vaccine capabilities at our disposal to address the threat of influenza A viruses in swine.
In addition, the USDA Swine Influenza Virus Surveillance program, which began in 2010, is on-going and serves as a vital part of our monitoring system for influenza viruses in the U.S. swine herd. This program can identify new influenza strains as they emerge in the swine population allowing us to monitor strain variation and promote effective vaccine and diagnostic reagent development. The continued support through diagnostic sample submissions is critical.
These materials were mailed to all U.S. AASV members this week. The materials were developed and distributed thanks to funding from the USDA. In addition, the ISU Center for Food Security and Public Health also published a thorough scientific review to help veterinarians and others identify the best available IAV-S vaccine for a particular infected herd. The authors describe key principles of IAV-S structure and replication, protective immunity, currently available vaccines and vaccine technologies that show promise for the future. They discuss strategies to optimize the use of available IAV-S vaccines, based on information gathered from modern diagnostics and surveillance programs.
All of these materials are available online.
