Wake-up call

For the first time ever, Senecavirus A (SVA) has been detected in feed ingredients imported from an endemically infected country. This is the first real-world proof that viruses can be transmitted via export feeds.

• Dr. Scott Dee, Director of Research for Pipestone Applied Research, highlights the importance of this news: although laboratory work has already proven it’s possible, this is real-world proof.

About a month ago, Dr. Dee was contacted by a pork production company, which later performed a diagnostic investigation. The conclusion was that the imported soybean was the vehicle that moved SVA virus into the country. 

• But don’t panic! The elimination of SVA is ongoing and effective.
• Fortunately, the presence of SVA in pig populations does not prohibit the sale or export of pork meat and pork products.

Nevertheless, this is a wake-up call! Because it validates previous research and provides an opportunity for the global pork industry to learn without long-term damage. 

• The US, for instance, is still importing feed ingredients from countries that are very high risk. 

Luckily, SVA isn’t that hard to deal with, but it could have happened with Foot and mouth disease (FMD) or African swine fever (ASF). If more serious measures are not implemented, we may not be so lucky next time…