Assisting the Pork Industry Prepare for an Emergency Disease Response
Animal Science
Sarah Schieck Boelke
Extension Educator
University of Minnesota Extension
Willmar
Abstract
In the event of a Foreign Animal Disease (FAD) or other widespread domestic disease threat a quick and coordinated response will be vital in keeping the disease from spreading. A quick response will help State Animal Health Officials know where infected animals are and how to contain the disease to reduce negative impact. Certified Swine Sample Collector (CSSC) training took place in Minnesota to train non-veterinarians to properly take diagnostic samples from pigs during an emergency disease response, on behalf of veterinarians or State Animal Health Officials. The CSSC training consisted of both classroom and hands-on portions. Attendees learned to identify FADs including African Swine Fever, Classical Swine Fever and Foot and Mouth Disease, and how to take the necessary diagnostic samples from live and postmortem pigs. Seven CSSC training events were held in Minnesota from August 2024 through January 2025. Participants trained at the CSSC events add to Minnesota's list of CSSC people who can take diagnostic samples on behalf of veterinarians during an FAD or other widespread disease event. When the grant proposal was submitted to the National Pork Board, Minnesota only had 34 people certified as CSSC. A total of 64 new samplers were certified through these CSSC training events. A majority of attendees were from Minnesota, with a handful of attendees from other states such as Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota, yet all had a connection to Minnesota farms. Participants had a combined influence on over 59 million pigs. Lessons learned through hosting CSSC training events included learning to find Secure Pork Supply and CSSC resources for pork industry specific disease response preparation; developing a beneficial collaboration between state agencies, practicing veterinarians, and pig farms; and organizing a plan to offer successful CSSC training. This session will demonstrate how others can coordinate similar training for all pig audiences, no matter the type of pig farm or number of pigs raised.
Authors: Sarah Schieck Boelke
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Sarah Schieck Boelke Extension Educator, University of Minnesota, Minnesota, 56201