Western Canada's support for Swine Health and Disease Surveillance
About CWSHIN
CWSHIN connects members of the swine sector from across western Canada to share information on current swine health trends. We are a surveillance system imbedded in an intelligence network.
Using elements of science, management, communication and documentation, CWSHIN:
- Applies modern surveillance and epidemiologic methods to data collected from practitioners, laboratories, abattoirs, etc., and provide swine health intelligence to producers and swine veterinarians in western Canada.
- Monitors worldwide swine health trends, to allow for a better understanding of advances and potential threats.
- Strengthens the surveillance system and intelligence network through strong governance within the CWSHIN team and collaboration with swine health stakeholders.
- Communicates with producers, practitioners and governments to grow the network.
CWSHIN OBJECTIVES
WHAT'S NEW
CWSHIN Report on Swine health surveillance for Quarter 1 2019 –14 May 2019
Practical tips
Use “war-time biosecurity measures” for the next 6 weeks as we are into the high-risk period for PED.
Contact your swine practitioner if your see diarrhea.
Strict biosecurity both at the border and surrounding each farm is still paramount.
Highlights
The high rate of respiratory lesions at abattoirs in SK/MB that we have seen in 2018 has dropped so SK/MB is now on par with East.
The total number of regional PED confirmed cases in the first quarter of 2019 was: 4 cases in AB and 2 cases in MB.
A desirable increase in submissions for diarrhea and PED awareness was seen in AB following the first cases of PED.
The high-risk period for PED in Manitoba extends from the beginning of April to mid-June so there is every reason to apply “war-time biosecurity measures” for the next 6 weeks.
Porcine Circovirus 3 (PCV3) has been detected by PRC by PDS. However, it is not known if PCV3 is an emerging new disease or a harmless virus.
Classical Swine Fever (CSF) is a challenge in backyard pigs in Brazil and in wild pigs in Japan.
GOVERNANCE
The CWSHIN Board of Directors is comprised of representatives from each of the western pork boards, with the western provincial agriculture ministries holding ex-officio status. The Manager of CWSHIN reports to the Board and oversees all of the organization’s activities. Within the organization, there are two working groups providing additional leadership and guidance: the Quarterly Team and the Scientific Technical Group.
Management
Dr. Jette Christensen DVM, PhD, joined CWSHIN in April 2018.
Dr. Christensen has 30 years of experience in all phases of national animal health monitoring, surveillance and disease control programs gained from field work in Denmark and Canada, including:
- General veterinary practice as one of two veterinarians serving more than 110 swine producers
- National animal surveillance in Denmark with: Danish veterinary Service (veterinary authority); Danish Bacon and Meat Council (national swine industry); Veterinary Laboratory (national reference laboratory)
- National surveillance in Canada with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) from 2001-2017
