Our research group continues to drive innovation in swine health by focusing on critical challenges faced by the industry. Through collaborative efforts, our recent publications explore diverse aspects of swine disease detection, management, and epidemiology, contributing to the broader understanding of swine health and welfare. Below are three of our latest research contributions:
1. Developing an Early Warning Tool for Regional PRRSV Occurrence
To improve swine disease prevention, our team created a regional early warning system using Morrison Swine Health Monitoring Project (MSHMP) data. This tool sends near-real-time PRRS outbreak alerts based on nearby PRRSV-positive sites, with confidentiality-adjusted reporting. Since May 2023, weekly reports have been sent to 178 breeding sites, covering about 565,000 sows, helping producers adjust biosecurity, supply introductions, and transport routes to address regional health risks. This tool strengthens rapid response and disease preparedness for both domestic and foreign threats.
Yue et al., Enhancing disease surveillance and preparedness: An early warning tool for disease occurrence in U.S. swine breeding herds. Vet Microbiol 2024 Aug 16:298:110215. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2024.110215
2. Investigating PRRSV Contamination on Farm Surfaces
Following the emergence of the PRRSV L1C.5 variant in southern Minnesota in fall 2020, our team investigated possible indirect transmission routes. We sampled surfaces in and around barns on seven PRRS-positive farms and one PRRS-negative farm, testing exhaust fans, doorknobs, and mortality carts for PRRSV. Results showed 13% of samples from positive farms had PRRSV, mainly on high-contact surfaces. Though virus isolation failed, the study emphasizes the risk of indirect transmission through contaminated surfaces, underscoring the need for strict biosecurity to prevent spread.
Melini et al., Assessment of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) farm surface contamination through environmental sampling. Porc Health Manag 10, 34 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40813-024-00387-5
3. Spatial-Temporal Analysis of Post-Epidemic PEDV in U.S. Breeding Herds
Our study examined Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV) in U.S. breeding herds during its post-epidemic phase, analyzing data from 1,089 farms across 27 states (2014-2021) through the Morrison Swine Health Monitoring Project. We identified 10 key spatiotemporal clusters, mainly in winter, with high-density regions at greater risk. Protective measures like feed mitigants reduced risk significantly, while air filtration showed marginal benefits. PEDV cases fell from 95 farms (2014-2015) to 53 (2020-2021), underscoring industry progress in controlling the virus and the value of risk profiling for PEDV elimination in the U.S.
Makau et al., Postepidemic Epidemiology of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus in the United States, Transboundary and Emerging Diseases, 2024, 5531899, 9 pages, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/5531899
4. Evaluating Postmortem Specimens for Accurate PRRSV Detection in Piglets
This study evaluated postmortem specimens from piglets for PRRSV detection, finding that oral swabs (OS) and superficial inguinal lymph nodes (SIL) had the highest accuracy. While tongue-tip fluids (TTF) were sensitive, lower specificity indicated they are more useful for environmental assessments. This study was highlighted in a previous science page.
Through these publications, our group continues to advance the field of swine health, driving progress in disease detection, variant monitoring, and epidemiological mapping. We are excited to share these findings with the scientific community and industry stakeholders to foster innovation in animal health management. A full list of MSHMP-related publications is available on our website: