Report | A look back at the Café-CRIPA of the Swine and Poultry Infectious Diseases Research Center (CRIPA)

Author: Gabriela Silva-Guerra, Communication Officer

Swine and Poultry Infectious Diseases Research Center (CRIPA)

The Café-CRIPA, organized by the Swine and Poultry Infectious Diseases Research Center (CRIPA), was a great success with seven conferences devoted to crucial themes, including biosecurity in pig and poultry farms. Invited experts addressed key topics such as african swine fever, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, regional biosecurity perspectives, as well as avian influenza and avian metapneumovirus. The presentations highlighted innovative avenues to address these challenges, demonstrating the commitment of the scientific community to the control of animal infectious diseases.

The biosecurity challenges with African Swine Fever: Dr. Claude Saegerman’s research

Dr. Claude Saegerman, from the University of Liège in Belgium, presented his work on biosecurity in relation to African swine fever, a highly contagious disease that affects pigs, particularly in rural areas. The appearance of African swine fever in a country has devastating consequences, including loss of international markets, a decrease in the pig population due to mortality, and a loss of confidence in the industry. Dr. Saegerman highlighted that costs vary between countries, depending on their level of organization, preparedness and anticipation. Moreover, better anticipation allows for reduced costs and improved prevention measures.

Swine fever management relies on strong biosecurity measures to limit the risks of transmission between farms, slaughterhouses and even across borders. Biosecurity measures include separation of new animals, management of sick animals, limiting access to the farm, and strict control of vehicles, equipment and people moving around. It is crucial to implement control measures at borders and airports to prevent illegal importation of infected meat or animals. In addition, widespread awareness is needed to inform the public about the risks of disease introduction.

« The biosecurity is not only for animals. The biosecurity is the implementation of the measure to reduce the risk of introduction and spread of the disease. The biosecurity measure needs a change of attitude and a change of behavior of the people that use, apply and implement it. »

• Dr. Claude Saegerman, University of Liège, Belgium

Dr. Saegerman also stressed the need to develop new tools and technologies to respond quickly to outbreaks. Finally, he stressed the importance of collaboration and communication between different sectors to strengthen biosecurity efforts.

Current PRRSV trends in the United States and potential factors related to transmission: a precise examination by Dr Cesar A. Corzo

Dr Cesar Corzo, from the University of Minnesota in the United States, presented an overview of his work on porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), an RNA virus that circulates on farms and causes impacts at various levels: local, regional and national. In the United States and Canada, PRRS type 2 is predominant.

He explained that the one of the main challenges is diversity together with the millions of pigs moved every day, making it difficult to accurately track and understand the viral source of the multiple outbreaks occurring throughout the year. The latter, although often concentrated in time and space, the virus can also affect isolated farms. This raises questions about the mechanisms of virus spread. His analysis of farms shows that some farms have never been affected by PRRSV, while others are in pig dense areas which leads to high occurrence and these farms are constantly working towards stabilization and maintaining a certain level of immunity. Producers continue to work on biosecurity measures such as air filtration to keep this virus out of their herds. Still, this virus is particularly adept at transforming and evading the immune system forcing producers and veterinarians to vaccinate with the goal of mitigating the impact should the virus enters the farm. Most outbreaks occur during the fall and winter seasons, suggesting there is a link  to seasonal activities such as corn harvesting and incorporation of manure into the fields.

Finally, his research shows that the virus remains viable on surfaces of farms housing positive pigs which highlights the importance of farm exit procedures in order to avoid dissemination to other farms. While Dr. Corzo and his team has learned a lot about PRRSV, many questions remain.

« If we stop looking, we're not going to get anywhere. It doesn't matter if we fil our result databases with a lot of PCR negative results. At least we know that we have looked. »

• Dr Cesar Corzo, University of Minnesota, United States

The situation seems to be gradually improving, but efforts must be redoubled to better understand and control the spread of the virus between farms.

Perspectives on biosecurity in Quebe cafter 25 years in the United States: ‘’The good, the bad and the ugly’’

Dr. Luc Dufresne, of SVLD Inc. and Demeter, discussed the differences in biosecurity between the United States and Quebec. His analysis aimed to compare biosecurity practices and identify areas for improvement.

In the United States, biosecurity on swine farms relies heavily on investments in air filtration systems, transportation management, and carcass disposal. Innovative technologies are being used, such as facial recognition to limit unauthorized entry and geofencing to monitor truck movements. However, challenges include varying biosecurity standards and large-scale animal movements. In addition, carcass and transportation management are often lacking, which can spread infections.

In Quebec, the situation has advantages, including better regulation of movement between provinces, thereby reducing the introduction of new diseases. However, challenges remain, including frequent interregional travel and a lack of truck washing and drying stations. Biosecurity can also vary from farm to farm, and improvements are needed for maternity wards and deadstock transport.

« Do the process, explain to people how to do it, but do it yourself to understand that you have a process that actually doesn't increase the biosecurity risk. »

• Dr. Luc Dufresne, SVLD Inc. and Demeter, Canada

Efforts must be intensified on both sides to strengthen biosecurity in the swine industry.

Greatness and darn miseries of regional biosecurity: the conclusions of the study by Dr. Jean-Pierre Vaillancourt

Dr. Jean-Pierre Vaillancourt, from the University of Montreal, discussed the importance of regional biosecurity, which is often overlooked by decision-makers. He pointed out that producers have been able to protect their farms for centuries, but that industrialization and increased livestock density are increasing the risk of disease spread. This reality applies to both pigs and poultry, and requires better communication between the various stakeholders in the agricultural sector.

« With the increase of production, higher density, regional density, we now also have to focus on regional biosecurity, and that requires communication. That requires organization. »

• Dr. Jean-Pierre Vaillancourt, University of Montreal, Canada

Solutions already exist, particularly with new technologies that monitor the movement of equipment, vehicles and people. Systems such as Farm Health Guardian, for example, use geolocation to track the movements of vehicles and people in real time, providing producers with encrypted data on potential risks. However, barriers remain, particularly regarding the willingness to share this data in a regional biosecurity context. In the United States, information on agricultural production is more accessible to industry stakeholders than in Canada, where confidentiality sometimes hinders biosecurity initiatives. This demonstrates the importance of improving collaboration in terms of data sharing to develop effective regional biosecurity and minimize health risks in the animal industry.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI): Vaccination and surveillance: observations by Dr. Jean-Luc Guérin

Dr. Jean-Luc Guérin, from the National Veterinary School of Toulouse in France, shared observations on the current situation of avian influenza in France, emphasizing the importance of vaccination. He highlighted the risk of the spread of avian influenza viruses, particularly the H5 strain (clade 2.3.4.4.b of the Asian lineage), which has developed the ability to travel, crossing entire continents, particularly from Asia to Europe and Africa. Waterfowl, both wild and domestic, such as ducks, are particularly affected, but poultry such as chickens and turkeys are also affected. Not to mention, of course, mammals and humans.

« The big problem with these avian viruses is the risk of adaptation to different types of mammals, including carnivores, marine mammals, and now, including bovine. »

• Dr. Jean-Luc Guérin, National Veterinary School of Toulouse, France

In France, the virus has particularly hit duck production in the southwest, leading to the culling of millions of birds. Mulard duck production, crucial to the foie gras industry, is particularly vulnerable due to free-range farming and frequent transport of birds between farms. Indeed, duck production in France, which represents 50 to 60 million birds raised per year, is unique. Vaccination has emerged as a complementary solution to biosecurity strategies, although it presents challenges in terms of surveillance and detection of silent circulation of the virus.

In France, this vaccination strategy was accompanied by a rigorous surveillance plan, with regular sampling and PCR tests on animals. This plan, with an overall annual cost of around 100 million euros, has already shown encouraging results: a significant reduction in the number of infectious outbreaks. However, the virus continues to circulate around the world, and new epidemics are regularly reported.

Avian metapneumovirus update: Field knowledge and diagnostics: an update by Dr. Babak Sanei

Dr. Babak Sanei of Zoetis Inc. presented recent information on avian metapneumovirus, which can cause severe respiratory disease in several bird species. The first cases were detected in the United States in late 2023. Several other cases quickly emerged, mainly in the eastern region, and then type A spread from California to the center of the country. There have even been cases of co-infections of types A and B in the same flock, making control of this disease even more complex.

In April-May 2024, Canada detected its first cases, mainly in Ontario and Manitoba. Dr. Sanei noted that while clinical signs can vary in intensity depending on flocks and management and other concurrent infections, turkeys appear to suffer the most severe consequences, including respiratory infections accompanied by signs of conjunctivitis, sinusitis, and sometimes eggshell and fertility problems in breeders. Avian metapneumovirus remains highly contagious. Infected flocks present with a variety of signs ranging from respiratory disorders, such as swollen sinuses (swollen head syndrome), to neurological disorders in some cases, as well as a significant drop in egg production, especially in winter, although the severity of drop depends on age of flock and other management factors. The management of ventilation in buildings plays a crucial role in the severity of clinical signs, as does co-infection with other pathogens.

« You could get rid of the virus with disinfectant. However it is extremely contagious and can potentially spread between farms and flocks.  Proper disinfection at the end of the flock can reduce the chance of recurrence of disease. Survival times depend on the time of the year and from a diagnostic point of view, you need to be very fast or you may not have positive results. »

• Dr Babak Sanei, Zoetis Inc., Canada

Accurate virus identification is essential for rapid control. Diagnostic tests, such as PCR and serology, are used to distinguish between different types of avian metapneumovirus, allowing farmers and veterinarians to better target their prevention and treatment efforts.

Control of reportable and significant poultry diseases: Perspectives in Quebec: a detailed review by Dr. Ghislain Hébert

Dr. Ghislain Hébert of the EQCMA stressed the importance of mandatory disease reporting to control their spread. This requirement, introduced in 2016, aims to ensure transparency and safety in the industry. In high-risk areas, producers must imperatively apply this regulation, supported by a compensation system for the measures promulgated. A geomatic tool also makes it possible to coordinate actions between producers and stakeholders in order to establish measures adapted to the situation. In addition, three levels of biosecurity protocols, recently renewed, allow for more targeted intervention.

« A geomantic tool has been developed so when we put in place a risk zone, we can define who is in the zone and we can implement the measures towards the number of people and the number of farms and businesses we have in it. »

• Dr. Ghislain Hébert, Équipe québécoise de contrôle des maladies avicoles (EQCMA), Canada

Dr. Hébert also mentioned that the EQCMA is developing a specific emergency response plan for diseases such as avian influenza, in collaboration with the CFIA, which ensures complete management of reportable diseases. Effective communication is essential in these situations: as soon as a case is detected, messages are sent to producers and stakeholders regarding relevant information at the sites involved. This st

ep is essential to coordinating the roles of the different parties involved in the management of targeted diseases.

For severe cases requiring depopulation, EQCMA has various tools, such as CO2 gassing equipment, and is working on developing innovative solutions such as high-expansion nitrogen foam. These technologies aim to ensure humane and effective management of infected herds.

In light of the various conferences, a consensus is emerging on the need for increased resilience, technological innovation, enhanced collaboration between industry players and data sharing to better prevent epidemics. Although solutions such as air filtration exist, they are not always accessible. Vaccination, although promising, is sometimes not available, and depends on the pathogen causing the clinical problems. The challenges posed by local and diversified production, such as those observed in Quebec, require special attention. Rapid diagnosis and coordination of human resources are essential to deal with emerging diseases. The scientific community is committed to continuing to innovate and develop technological tools to better manage these issues in the future.