Global Experts in Swine Viral Diseases Convene in Chicago

The 2022 NAPRRS/NC229 International Conference of Swine Viral Diseases, held December 2 through 4 in Chicago, Ill., attracted more than 170 participants. This is the premier conference for addressing viral disease threats facing pork production. Pork is the most-consumed meat in the world. Swine diseases have the potential to take a devastating toll on global food security and economic stability.

The meeting featured speakers and panelists from Canada, Denmark, Germany, Korea, the Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Spain, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Participants included including academic researchers, diagnosticians, veterinarians, field practitioners, and government and industry professionals.

Dr. Ying Fang served as executive director of the conference. Dr. Raymond (Bob) Rowland was the advisor. Both are from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Fang also led the conference planning committee and co-chaired its joint scientific committee, along with Dr. Roman Pogranichniy of Kansas State University.

PRRSV and Much More

First held in 2003 as the North American PRRS Symposium, the conference has grown in recent years to address not only the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) but also new emerging and transboundary viral diseases of swine.

Sandra Blome, Jay Calvert, Luc Dufresne, and Amy Vincent delivered keynote presentations. Their remarks highlighted the latest science on African Swine Fever virus, PRRSV, and influenza A virus in swine and human health. The final keynote speaker, Dr. David Benfield, was involved in isolation of the PRRS virus when it first emerged in the early 1990s.

New at this year’s conference were sessions co-organized with Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) covering the latest technologies in swine disease detection and diagnostics.

Valued Sponsors

Sponsors of the event included the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, its Department of Pathobiology, and its Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory; Dr. David Benfield; Boehringer Ingelheim; Central States Research Centre, Inc.; Elanco; Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory; Millipore Sigma; PIC; Promega; SHIC; Tetracore; and Zoetis.

“We sincerely appreciate the generous donations from our sponsors. They provide essential support for the success of this conference,” said Dr. Fang.