Government and academic investigators have developed a vaccine against African swine fever that appears to be far more effective than previously developed vaccines. The research appeared recently in the Journal of Virology, a publication of the American Society for Microbiology. Currently, there is no commercially available vaccine against African swine fever, which has been devastating […] Read more
Tag Archives veterinary medicine — page 5
Tackling a more virulent African swine fever
Science Notes: A new vaccine shows promise tackling the latest, tough strain
Players confident with ASF outbreak response plan
Plan offers a “test” for potential new organization
Glacier FarmMedia – The federal government and industry partners have expressed confidence in plans to prevent and, if needed, combat an outbreak of African swine fever on Canadian soil. Beyond working with the United States and Mexico, Canada has partnered with the provinces and industry groups to come up with an action plan for ASF. […] Read more
Hog farmers continue to reduce antimicrobial use
Five-year study shows 57 per cent of participating farms decreased their antimicrobial use
An Ontario Pork Industry Council benchmarking study demonstrates that Ontario pork producers continue to lower antimicrobial use. The project, funded by the Canadian Agricultural Partnership Program, has been ongoing for five years, with surveys in 2014, 2016 and 2018. Why it matters: Antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance have become greater societal concerns, so being able […] Read more
Respiratory diseases in young livestock have lasting effects
Prevention starts with living environment and vaccinations
Respiratory diseases are most common in calves during the post-wean period and they can have long-term effects. Why it matters: Respiratory diseases are extremely common on dairy farms, although they are simple to prevent. They can have lasting effects on cattle up to their first lactation. Dr. Dave Renaud presented ways to prevent respiratory diseases […] Read more
Co-ordinated animal disease response sought
The National Farmed Animal Health and Welfare Council is working with government and industry representatives
Glacier FarmMedia – The catastrophic consequences of a potential foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Canada terrify the livestock industry. Different sectors have already experienced the impact of foreign animal diseases like BSE, avian influenza, porcine epidemic diarrhea and bovine tuberculosis, said veterinarian Megan Bergman, head of the National Farmed Animal Health and Welfare Council. Why it […] Read more
Vietnam claims some success in creating African swine fever vaccine
Disease experts are skeptical as a vaccine has been challenging to create so far
Reuters – Vietnam says it has had initial success in creating a vaccine to fight African swine fever, which has infected farms throughout the Southeast Asian country and prompted the culling of around 10 per cent of its pig herd. African swine fever, which has spread to Laos and North Korea as well after being […] Read more
Monitoring wild bird threats to domestic poultry
Clusters of dead birds are an alarm bell and should be sent for testing
An outbreak of Newcastle disease among cormorants, as was seen in the summer of 2018, can generate significant public interest when it occurs in an area also high in population of sympathetic humans. But from the standpoint of human health and domestic poultry production, a much bigger risk would be present if the same infection […] Read more
Gut health key when raising birds without using antibiotics
Researchers strive to ease transition away from sub-therapeutic drug use
Promoting gut health is key to adapting to calls for antibiotic-free poultry production, attendees were told at the recent annual research day of the Poultry Industry Council (PIC). “We’ve used drugs a lot to hide bad management — poor litter management, too high of stocking density,” said professor Lisa Bielke of Ohio State University’s College […] Read more
Opinion: Swine fever brings trade adversaries together
Capital Letters with Kelsey Johnson of iPolitics
At a time of frosty diplomatic relations and continued trade disputes, the world’s top animal health experts, industry and governments are banding together to fight a deadly hog virus. More than 150 officials from about 15 countries descended on Ottawa recently for a global forum on African swine fever. Their goal: to share information, learn […] Read more
Disease threat cancels World Pork Expo
Ontario Pork Congress officials still considering the status of the local trade show
The Ontario Pork Congress does not yet have any comment about its show, after the World Pork Expo (WPE) was cancelled due to concerns about the threat of African Swine Fever. OPC said it will comment April 18. The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) board or directors cited “an abundance of caution” about ASF’s transmission […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
