Influenza – Swine in Minnesota

Pigs: A host for a vast array of viruses

By Tom Molitor, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota

The swine industry has changed significantly since 1980 with intensified swine systems, early weaning approaches, three site production systems, AI, (both artificial intelligence and artificial insemination), facility filtration systems and overall enhanced biosecurity. Throughout this time we have witnessed consistent and recurring emerging and reemerging diseases that have impacted the health of swine and affected profitability.

Recent study pinpoints opportunities to better control swine flu

New research led by researchers at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) reveals that farmworkers vaccinating and weaning 3-week-old piglets can indirectly and significantly contribute to the spread of the influenza A virus (IAV) on swine farms. This information can help pig producers target biosecurity measures more strategically, curbing swine flu transmission and enhancing swine production outcomes.

Farm management practices associated with influenza contamination of people working in swine farms

We hope all our US readers had a great Memorial Day weekend. Today, we are talking about farm practices and flu in farm workers. This recent publication from the Torremorell lab is available in open access on the Porcine Health Management journal website.

Take-away points

Naïve piglets becoming infected with influenza before weaning participates in the endemic status of sow farms.
Numerous interactions between piglets and farm workers happen pre-weaning (e.g. processing, vaccinations)
Between 16% and 94% of the samples taken post-activity from farm workers’ hands and clothing were PCR positive for influenza.
Activities during the peri-weaning period had almost 6 times higher risk of flu detection.

Influenza in swine: the latest updates – A podcast episode

Despite the many advances throughout the years, influenza still cannot be fully controlled and represents a major economic threat to the swine industry. Therefore, we can never discuss it enough and it’s never too late to tackle this challenge. In this podcast host Laura Greiner and guests Dr. Jeremy Pittman and Dr. Marie Culhane have a roundtable conversation about the latest updates about influenza, diagnostics and surveillance, and key strategies to manage those.

The secret behind controlling Influenza on pig farms: A podcast episode

Influenza viruses are a huge concern for swine producers around the globe: firstly, because they cause high levels of illness in the herds; secondly, because they are very contagious and evolve very quickly. Although swine (and human) influenza viruses can circulate throughout the entire year, most outbreaks do occur during late fall and winter – so there is no better time to talk about them! In this week’s episode, Dr. Laura Greiner talks with Dr. Montserrat Torremorell about the main strategies for solving influenza issues in our pig production systems. With vast experience on that topic, Dr. Montserrat explains what the differences are between influenza viruses, why sow farms are more susceptible to occurrences, and what we need to do to successfully control influenza on a practical level.