The Iowa Department of Agriculture is reminding Iowa pork producers and their veterinarians of the importance of reporting and testing all potential cases of Senecavirus A in swine. 

SVA poses no threat to food safety and has no serious impact on pork production, but it is a serious concern for U.S. animal health officials because the symptoms mimic the signs of foot-and-mouth disease, a foreign animal disease that would have devastating economic consequences in Iowa and across the country.

FMD needs immediate response
“Foot-and-mouth disease rightly strikes fear in the hearts of everyone involved in the ag industry,” says Mike Naig, Iowa deputy secretary of agriculture. “As we have worked to update our response plans for FMD and other diseases, we continue to see that identifying the disease as early as possible is critically important to an effective response.” 

He adds, “We don’t want to give FMD a chance to circulate for even a couple of days, thinking it is ‘just another case of SVA.’ That’s why we are asking farmers and veterinarians to remain vigilant and make sure all potential cases of SVA are submitted for testing.”

Test shows SVA or FMD
Because SVA and FMD share the same symptoms, state and federal animal health officials need producers’ and veterinarians’ help to identify potential cases for testing. Laboratory testing is the only way to distinguish between the two diseases.

If a farmer sees any signs of blisters or lesions they should work with their vet to report the situation to animal health officials immediately. This includes if the symptoms are seen on the farm, a commingling point, a market, a buy station or at a slaughterhouse. Farmers are asked to report signs right away so the animals can be tested as early as possible.

Farmers or veterinarians with potential SVA cases can contact the state veterinarian’s office at 515-281-8601 or the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service office in Iowa at 515-284-4140.

FMD outbreak would be ‘devastating’
“It is important that no one becomes complacent,” Naig says. “Failure to identify FMD quickly would likely result in significant and swift spread of the disease that would not only impact the swine industry, but also the cattle, sheep and goat industries. Our trading partners would immediately block U.S. exports, and the economic impact to our livestock farmers would be devastating.”

Iowa has typically seen between 10 and 38 cases of SVA in recent years. Traditionally, veterinarians see a spike in Senecavirus A cases in summer followed by a decline in winter, but now there are cases throughout the year.

If testing finds SVA, pigs will still be allowed to move to their destination; the disease poses no risk to food safety and the animals will fully recover. The Iowa ag department works with USDA to respond quickly to potential cases, conduct testing and minimize any impacts or slowdowns to the industry.

Source: Iowa Department of Agriculture