The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC), in collaboration with the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV), will host a webinar on March 26 from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. Central Time, focusing on the growing importance of Senecavirus A (SVA) in domestic swine.
The session will bring together pork producers, veterinarians, and industry stakeholders to better understand SVA as an emerging risk—particularly due to its clinical similarity to Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), one of the most economically devastating foreign animal diseases.
Why Senecavirus A Matters
According to Lisa Becton, Associate Director at SHIC, Senecavirus A was first identified in the United States in the early 2000s and has since spread internationally, including into Canada, Brazil, and China.
While SVA itself does not trigger trade shutdowns, its resemblance to FMD creates a significant challenge for the industry.
“SVA has clinical symptoms that include vesicles on the snout and coronary bands, as well as within the oral cavity,” explained Becton. “Animals may exhibit lameness, and in young pigs, transient death loss can occur.”
The Diagnostic Challenge
The primary concern is not just the virus itself—but what it looks like.
SVA presents with vesicular lesions that are difficult to distinguish from other serious diseases, including:
- Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD)
- Swine Vesicular Disease
- Vesicular Disease of Swine
Because of this, any suspected case often triggers full foreign animal disease (FAD) investigations and diagnostic testing.
This creates two major implications:
- Operational Disruption – Increased testing, biosecurity measures, and regulatory involvement
- Industry Risk – The potential consequences if FMD were ever confirmed are severe
“Mistaking SVA for Foot-and-Mouth Disease—or vice versa—can lead to significant industry consequences,” Becton noted. “A confirmed case of FMD would immediately halt pork exports.”
What We Know—and What We Don’t
Although Senecavirus A is considered common within the U.S. swine herd, recent research suggests:
- Prevalence in sow herds remains relatively low
- Limited data exists across all production stages and age groups
This knowledge gap reinforces the importance of continued surveillance, research, and producer awareness.
A Timely Industry Conversation
As the industry continues to navigate heightened biosecurity expectations and global disease threats, this webinar comes at a critical time.
The ability to quickly differentiate endemic diseases like SVA from foreign animal diseases is becoming increasingly important—not just for herd health, but for protecting market access and industry stability.
Webinar Details
- Date: March 26, 2026
- Time: 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. (Central Time)
- Hosted by: SHIC & AASV
- Registration: Available through SHIC’s March eNewsletter at swinehealth.org
Swine Web Perspective
Senecavirus A represents a growing example of how diagnostic complexity is becoming a frontline issue in modern pork production.
It’s not just about managing disease—it’s about managing perception, response, and risk.
In a global market where a single confirmed case of a foreign animal disease can shut down trade overnight, the industry’s ability to distinguish “look-alike” diseases like SVA is more than a veterinary issue.
It’s a business-critical capability.
