Farms.com Home   News

ASF Virus Persists in Recovered Pigs, By Marty Misener from South West Ontario Veterinary Services

African swine fever (ASF) continues to be high on the list of transboundary diseases that can result in devastating damage to pork production. This devastating nature of ASF has sparked an unprecedented level of international collaboration. One example of this collaboration is the research partnership between the USA and Viet Nam. This collaboration benefits Viet Nam because it provides access to additional technical expertise and other resource in battling ASF. The USA benefits by gaining real world access to the disease control efforts in Viet Nam. Having “boots on the ground” allows for an accelerated learning curve involving diagnostics, vaccines and other control measures. Unfortunately ASF is persisting in Viet Nam. The number of pigs that recover from ASF infection depends on the strain of ASF that is involved. Although the percentage of infected pigs that recover is small it is not zero. These researchers wanted to evaluate the viral antigen distribution and lesions in recovered pigs post ASFV infection. Ten pigs that recovered from ASF at 6 weeks of age were monitored and assessed for anti-ASFV antibodies and viremia until slaughter. The five major organs (lung, liver, spleen, kidney, and lymph nodes) of these pigs were evaluated for microscopic lesions and viral antigen distribution.

Click here to see more...

Trending Video

Building Better Barns: Innovations in Hog Facility Design with PSI’s Tim Messinger

Video: Building Better Barns: Innovations in Hog Facility Design with PSI’s Tim Messinger

In this exclusive interview from the 2025 Iowa Pork Congress Rachel Fishback and Swineweb sit down with Tim Messinger, a seasoned expert from Precision Structures Inc. (PSI) of Wellman, Iowa, to delve into the latest trends and innovations in hog barn construction and remodeling.

With nearly two decades at PSI, Tim shares his journey from draftsman to sales, highlighting the company’s comprehensive services in building farrow-to-wean complexes, finishers, and nurseries. He emphasizes the critical role of proper site layout and grading in barn construction, ensuring long-term efficiency and scalability for pork producers.

Tim also discusses the increasing importance of advanced ventilation systems and smart controllers like Maximus and AP Edge, which offer producers enhanced monitoring and control over barn environments. As construction costs have risen, PSI has seen an uptick in remodeling projects, particularly in slat replacements, roof refurbishments and barn gating remodels to extend the lifespan of existing facilities.

A key takeaway from Tim is the value of partnering with reputable builders who offer robust post-sale support. PSI’s dedicated service team stands ready to assist clients 24/7, addressing emergencies and ensuring optimal barn performance.

For pork producers looking to build or upgrade their facilities, this conversation offers valuable insights into best practices and the latest industry developments.