Investigation of Senecavirus A in Two Commercial Sow Farms
At a high-efficiency particulate arresting (HEPA) filtered, 2,500 head commercial sow farm in the Midwest breeding sows and gilts in the farrowing barn showed acute signs of fluid filled vesicles on their snouts and coronary bands, lameness, and concurrent inappetence. Additionally, diarrhea was seen in the neonatal piglets. Prior to these clinical signs, the herd had been healthy for two years with no significant health challenges. When these signs were discovered, the state veterinarian was contacted and Senecavirus A (SV A) was diagnosed within twenty-four hours after the initial clinical signs through molecular testing. Improved biosecurity measures were taken to ensure that viral particles were removed from the environment as quickly as possible. By forty-eight hours after the initial clinical signs, lesions were present on the majority of pigs in the barn. Fifteen days later, all clinical signs had disappeared and production returned to normal. A neighboring HEPA filtered, 5,400 head commercial sow farm within one half mile range of the infected barn remained SVA negative, although several risk factors existed that were likely to contribute to infection transfer between farms. In order to determine the risk factors and epidemiology of SV A transfer throughout swine populations, environmental samples were taken inside and outside of both farm sites. This report will discuss this outbreak and the use of modern diagnostic testing to identify the source of SV A on the farm. Months later, there is no sign of SV A in the affected barn since the initial break and the neighboring barn remains unaffected.