Comprehensive List of Research Gaps Developed to Facilitate Japanese Encephalitis Risk Reduction

May 01, 2023

The Executive Director of the Swine Health Information Center suggests a better understanding of the epidemiology of Japanese Encephalitis is needed to halt its spread and minimise its impact.
The Swine Health Information Center and its industry partners have compiled a comprehensive list of research gaps to facilitate next steps in the ongoing efforts aimed reducing the risk of Japanese encephalitis introduction and spread.
SHIC Executive Director Dr. Paul Sundberg says the things we need to learn as quickly as possible is all things about the epidemiology of the virus.

Clip-Dr. Paul Sundberg-Swine Health Information Center:
When this was introduced into Australia it was a different experience than what they've been having in Japan.
It spread quickly and it caused different clinical outcomes on different farms.

One farm may be very devastated.
Another may have one case and go on with production just like normal.
So, there was a variety of different issues there that were going on that we're trying to understand.
We've got to understand that in order to understand how stop it.
Diagnostics is another very high priority.
USDA is now working on a diagnostic test that can look for the antigen and we've got a project with Iowa State University that is helping to supplement that.
Diagnostics both as looking for the antigen as well as looking for the antibodies and differentiating those from the antibodies of West Nile virus, from St Louis encephalitis and other types of those.
Then of course there's always the interest in vaccines.
Do we have a safe and effective vaccine to help us in production and help us tamp that virus down should it get here?
Of course, we’re not going to vaccinate all the waterfowl but we may be able to help stop this virus or slow it down by vaccinating pigs.

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Video: Season 7, Episode 1: Managing Risk and Seeing Opportunities in U.S. Pork Production

Today’s episode features three guests discussing the similarities and differences between pork production in the United States and Brazil, along with strategies for managing risk in today’s industry while recognizing and acting on opportunities. First, Dr. Anne Caroline de Lara, executive manager of live pig production at Seara Alimentos, a JBS company in Brazil, is joined by Dr. Matthew Turner, head of operations for JBS Live Pork. Together, they discuss how labor, climate and ventilation challenges vary between Brazil and the United States, while underscoring their shared commitment to raising healthy pigs. They also point to lessons producers in both countries can take from one another’s systems and on-farm experiences. Then, Brady Reicks, risk manager at Reicks View Farms, shares his perspective on risk management, drawing from his background in markets and his transition into farming. He discusses how protecting margins varies by operation and offers practical approaches producers can use to make marketing and business decisions with greater confidence rather than hesitation.

Both conversations were recorded at recent industry events focused on swine livability, including the International Conference on Pig Livability and Iowa Swine Day.