Canadian Pork Producers Advised to Watch for Signs of Seneca Valley Virus

Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development is advising pork producers to watch for and immediately report any vesicles or blisters appearing on their pigs.

In November 3 Canadian sows exported to the U.S. for slaughter from two Canadian assembly yards, 1 in Ontario and 1 in Manitoba, were identified with Seneca Valley Virus.

For the most part Seneca Valley Virus is not considered to be a production limiting disease but, it  causes vesicles or blisters that resemble those caused by Foot-and-Mouth disease.

Dr. Julia Keenliside, a Veterinary Epidemiologist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, told Alberta Pork's monthly Telephone Town Hall last week, over the past 30 years, Seneca Valley Virus has shown up sporadically world wide but about 70 premises in the U.S. have been affected by this virus this year.

Clip-Dr. Julia Keenliside-Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development:
It does seem to be slowing down a bit in the U.S. right now but we still want to send out the word to producers and people in the industry, especially those that transport pigs, to really be on the lookout for blisters because it can be a very serious issue if we do have a foreign animal disease.

It's really important that we do get everything looked at by a veterinarian, tested by CFIA and confirm that it's not a foreign animal disease, that it is Seneca Valley.

For that we do emphasize that calling the local veterinarian first is a really good idea.

Local veterinarians can contact CFIA 24-7 on their emergency number to get CFIA to investigate.

I would remind everybody that this is a federally reportable disease so CFIA will take the lead in all investigations where we suspect a foreign animal disease or Seneca Valley so be on the lookout for those blisters.

Dr. Keenliside notes no farms have been confirmed in Canada with Seneca Valley Virus but she encourages, especially those who transport pigs, to be on the lookout for symptoms.

Source: Farmscape