A multistate outbreak of HPAI Type A (H5N1) in dairy cows began on March 25, 2024, in Texas. The cross-species outbreak immediately drew the attention of pork industry organizations whose representatives began collaborating for a cohesive, coordinated – not duplicative – effort to be informed, engaged, and responsive on behalf of the pig farmers and practitioners they represent and serve.
"Since H5N1 was identified in dairy cattle, there’s been constant collaboration and communication between partners in the pork industry. The Pork Board has been meeting at least weekly with stakeholders from the Swine Health Information Center, the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, The Meat Institute, the National Pork Producers Council, the USDA, and others to closely monitor H5N1 updates and response within the dairy industry. These meetings give us the opportunity to discuss the potential implications and possible response," remarked Dr. Marisa Rotolo, veterinary epidemiologist, director of swine health, National Pork Board.
As of July 7, 2024, H5N1 has been confirmed in dairy cattle in 12 states. This includes 28 herds in Idaho, 25 in Michigan, 27 in Colorado, 21 in Texas, 12 in Iowa, eight in New Mexico, seven in Minnesota, five in South Dakota, four in Kansas, and one each in North Carolina, Ohio, and Wyoming, per USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. H5N1 has not been found in pigs.
In an opinion piece by US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack titled, Good Biosecurity Is the Key to Mitigating the Spread of H5N1, released on June 26, 2024, he wrote, "The more we learn about H5N1, the more we understand that good biosecurity is a critically important path to containing the virus. Containing, and eliminating, the virus in our dairy cattle is essential – to protect the health of our herds and flocks, our farmers, our farmworkers, our families, and the rural economy they make possible." Pork industry representatives support efforts being made by the dairy and poultry sectors, while looking for lessons in their experience to apply in the event it is needed for pigs.
Collaboration Is Critical
Collaboration is critical for preparedness and response, not only with other pork organizations, but within the barnyard and beyond. "We have those relationships in place and communicate almost daily with our colleagues in other pork organizations, and frequently with those working in animal health, human health, and the regulatory space," said Abbey Canon, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, director of public health and communications with the American Association of Swine Veterinarians.
Part of AASV’s mission is to increase the knowledge of swine veterinarians, protect and promote the health and well-being of pigs, and advocate science-based approaches to veterinary, industry, and public health issues. Dr. Canon says the organization strives to disseminate the most up-to-date information that swine veterinarians need and can use or distribute to their clients.
Leveraging Lessons Learned
Preparing for and responding to livelihood-damaging endemic and emerging swine disease, including influenza, is nothing new for the pork industry. "The pork industry is not a stranger to managing new and novel influenza strains. We learned a lot from H1N1 in 2009, which resulted in a lot of good planning between industry stakeholders and federal and state government agencies which can serve as the foundation for a measured and appropriate response to the introduction of different strains in the future," remarked Dr. Patrick Webb, assistant chief veterinarian, National Pork Board.
Existing preparedness programs developed for the swine industry serve multiple purposes. "While the swine industry has had a particular focus on African swine fever and other foreign diseases, much of this work and preparation benefits current conversations about H5N1. Examples include enhanced biosecurity protocols as part of the Secure Pork Supply plan, development of the Certified Swine Sample Collector program to improve our surveillance capacity, and improvements to live swine traceability with the swine traceability standards supported by producers at National Pork Forum. The industry recognizes that there are multiple threats to swine health and in response, has invested time, money and resources into improving our readiness," explained Anna Forseth, DVM, MS, director of animal health, National Pork Producers Council.
"The swine industry has been monitoring the evolving H5N1 situation closely. We know that new or novel strains of a virus can raise questions and activity beyond how it impacts the animals themselves, including regulatory action and impacts to trade. As we watch the dairy industry’s experience, we are engaging in conversations with state and federal regulators, public health officials, diagnostic laboratories, and trading partners to educate decision makers about the swine industry," Dr. Forseth said.
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