Dr. Jack Shere, a DVM with USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, is concerned about the increasing prevalence of Senecavirus A (SVA) in the U.S. swine herd. SVA is a disease that mimics Foot and Mouth disease (FMD). This is why producers need to be more vigilant than ever when they see signs of blisters or lesions on pigs’ skin .
Source: Pork, December 8, 2017.
When pigs have SVA, their symptoms can mimic those of FMD, which creates a big problem. Shere wants to make sure producers don’t become complacent in recognizing and testing for the virus. While all tests have proven to be SVA and not FMD, the industry must make sure it stays that way.
INSIGHTS: Animal health pros at all levels need to help with this vigilance. Missing an FMD case could be potentially devastating.