This is our Friday rubric: every week a new Science Page from the Bob Morrison’s Swine Health Monitoring Project. The previous editions of the science page are available on our website.
The project runs from July 1st to June 30th so the year 2016-2017 just ended. Below are listed the main point for this year, more details can be found in the full report.
This year the Swine Health Monitoring Project was struck by the sudden and unexpected loss of Bob Morrison in a car accident in Prague. This was a major setback for the group and is a difficult challenge to overcome. However, we received the support of the industry to continue carrying on Bob’s legacy. Since last May the SHMP was renamed after him to Dr. Morrison’s SHMP (MSHMP).
Key points from this week edition:
Monitoring pathogens
PRRS incidence (26%) remained stable over the last 2 years.
PEDv incidence remained low (7%), at the same level as last year.
Seneca Valley virus incidence appears to have a seasonal pattern.
Monitoring of VDL atypical CNS cases has been restarted.
Analyzing PRRS virus sequences
It appears that there are several characteristic features that would signal emerging PRRSv strains, which may be used for early detection of significant emerging events.
Analyzed sequences coming from 3 systems to detect new emerging strains on a monthly basis.
Capturing movement data and incorporating into data management capacity
Developed an app to capture truck movement.
Tested a first version of the app.
A second improved version will be tested shortly.
Expanding enrollment
Added 4 production companies.
Currently 33 systems with 1,092 sow farms & 2.96 million sows.
Summer is here and for swine producers, this can be the start of seasonal infertility which is characterized by decreased breeding and farrowing performances in swine usually occurring in late-summer and/or early fall. How can it be prevented?
Dr. Perle Boyer from the University of Minnesota compiles in this month’s column for the National Hog Farmer the measures you can take to minimize seasonal effects on reproductive performances.
Seasonal infertility can affect both males and females. We tend to focus on the dam but boars should also be monitored during summer as the consequences of heat stress on semen quality can last up to several weeks in some cases.
Among the 5 tips in the list, keeping the pigs cool during the warmer month is certainly a priority. Remember that an adult neutral temperature is between 64F and 68F. Above that, heat stress can impair the animals’ performances. Additionally, making sure that the sows keep eating both during the lactation and during the days post-weaning has yield positive results for the following pregnancy.
The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory’s mission is to protect and promote animal and human health through early detection and monitoring of animal diseases.
The 2016 report was published last month and we are compiling here the highlights related to swine. We can also read the full 2016 UMN VDL report.
In April 2016, the VDL welcomed its new director Dr. Jerry Torrison.
More than 50% of the procedures in the VDL were related to the porcine species last year.
A new multiplex PCR test that combines Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDv), Porcine Deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) and Transmissible Gastroenteritis Virus (TGEV) into one assay was implemented into the Molecular Diagnostic clinical testing schedule effective October 31st, 2016. The new assay provides clients with timely, quality results for all three viruses at the same time. The VDL ran 40,131 PEDv and PDCoV Multiplex Real Time PCR tests and 5,238 Triplex (PEDv/TGE/PDCoV) RT-PCR tests.
Additionally, the Serology lab conducted intensive testing in collaboration with Zoetis for validation of PED antibody test kit which they are planning to release on the market soon.
Seneca Valley Virus PCR was validated and is part of routine testing. 3,205 Senecavirus A EZ Real time RT-PCR tests were run. An ELISA test for antibodies to Seneca Valley Virus in pigs is also available.
The IHC lab participated in the 2016 AAVLD/NVSL Program for Inter-laboratory Comparison, and scored 100% in its detection of Porcine Circovirus type 2 in the test samples provided.
This is our Friday rubric: every week a new Science Page from the Bob Morrison’s Swine Health Monitoring Project. The previous editions of the science page are available on our website.
We are presenting today the work done in Dr. Cheeran’s lab on the detection of influenza virus in farms. The objective of their research project is to develop a portable diagnostic platform that is capable of performing on-site testing of influenza viruses in swine with minimum sample handling and laboratory skill requirements.
The device is using giant magnetoresistance (GMR) technology. In a nutshell, if influenza viruses are present in the sample, they will bind to sensors, cause a disruption in resistance, and create an electric signal in the device that will be able to wirelessly transmit the result to a smartphone or computer.
Key points from this week edition:
Portable, hand held device for detection of influenza A virus (IAV) based on giant magnetoresistance (GMR) biosensor has been developed.
Although in its developmental stage, if successful this test has the potential for rapid on-site testing of influenza viruses in swine.
Robert Barclay Morrison, of Roseville, MN, died tragically in an automobile accident on May 2, 2017 at age 64 while traveling in the Czech Republic. He is survived by wife Jeanie Morrison, three children, Jessie (Eric) Bain, Peter (Eva) Morrison, and William Morrison, and grandson Ian Bain; sister, Mary Walker and children, Hilary, Cameron, D’Arcy, Andy and brother, Sandy (Juliette) Morrison and children, Jeremy and Jamille.
Robert (Bob) was born February 21, 1953 in Calgary, then moved to Montreal where he spent his childhood years. His family moved to Saskatchewan where he attended high school and the University of Saskatchewan (B.S., Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine). As a young veterinarian, Bob traveled by bicycle across Europe until landing in a small German town where he immersed himself as the local veterinarian. His love of travel, driven by a desire to learn and understand the world and people around him, continued throughout his life and aided him in becoming a global expert in Veterinary Population Medicine with a focus on swine health.
Bob moved to Minnesota in 1981 to teach and study at the University of Minnesota (PhD, MBA). Here he met his wife and love of his life, Jeanie, who was his nurse while he recovered from knee surgery. Shortly after marrying, Bob and Jeanie moved with daughter Jessie to Colombia where Bob worked for the United Nations. He returned to Minnesota in 1986 to begin his tenure as Faculty in the Department of Veterinary Population Medicine at the University of Minnesota. Bob cherished his time teaching and mentoring veterinary graduate and undergraduate students for the duration of his life. Bob was a brilliant data scientist and leader in his industry; he guided responsible vaccination and antibiotic use domestically and globally, responded to outbreaks and pandemics, and advocated for safe and ethical pork production.
A man of the utmost integrity, Bob was a beloved father, husband, uncle, father-in-law, brother-in-law, grandpa and friend. He was honest, hard-working, loyal, open-minded, grateful, genuine and humble. He was a kind man with a gentle soul. He cherished his children and grandchild, and cared endlessly for his wife. Bob was happy as long as his wife Jeanie was by his side; together they traveled the world, were active in their community and church, started a squash scholarship for underserved youth, opened their home to students, and passionately supported their children. Bob had many hobbies including bee-keeping and making “Bob’s Other Honey,” leatherworking, watching hockey, woodworking, sailing trips with friends, whist, biking and playing squash.
Memorial contributions may be made to one of two organizations close to Bob’s heart:
The University of Minnesota Foundation SquashScholars Scholarship (established by Bob and Jeanie) by mail to U of M Foundation, PO Box 860266, Minneapolis, MN, 55486-0266, or online at https://give.umn.edu/giveto/squashscholars (Tax ID: 41-6042488)
Global Health Ministries (Project #79 AL -P0001) for Dr. Mark Jacobson’s HealthMinistries in Arusha, Tanzania by mail to 7831 Hickory St NE, Fridley, MN 55432 (Tax ID: 36-3532234).
Visitation will be at Falcon Heights United Church of Christ (1795 Holton St, Falcon Heights, MN 55113) on Thursday, July 6, 5:30-7:30 PM.
Funeral Services will be at Roseville Lutheran Church (1215 Roselawn Ave W, Roseville, MN 55113) on Friday, July 7, 7 PM.
