Dr. Lisa Becton of SHIC encourages farms to ramp up sanitation and reduce disease pressure this spring
As temperatures rise, the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) is urging pork producers to take full advantage of the seasonal shift to enhance biosecurity on their farms. According to SHIC’s April Domestic Swine Disease Monitoring Report, case positivity is down for several diseases, creating a prime window for proactive action.
🔍 Key Takeaways from the Report:
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PED, delta coronaviruses, mycoplasma, and PRRS show seasonal declines, though PRRS cases are still elevated in North Carolina and Iowa.
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No new cases of Transmissible Gastroenteritis (TGE) have been identified in the past four years.
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Spring conditions bring increased UV light, helping reduce pathogen survival, but also come with risks like flooding and mosquito surges.
“Warmer weather means we can be more aggressive with sanitation,” said Dr. Lisa Becton, Associate Director at SHIC. “Now is the time to clean up outdoor areas, deadhaul zones, and equipment to reduce pathogen loads and help protect animal health.”
Dr. Becton also warns that while spring brings opportunities, it also introduces unpredictable weather swings and humidity shifts. Producers should be vigilant about environmental stressors, which can contribute to disease pressure on herds.
💡 Biosecurity Action Points for Spring:
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Step up cleaning protocols in transportation zones and external farm environments
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Monitor for mosquito and insect-related issues following rain or flooding
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Use warmer conditions to disinfect areas that were harder to manage during winter
📈 For a full look at SHIC’s latest domestic and global disease monitoring reports, visit swinehealth.org.
