By Swine Web News Team
The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) is reporting a positive response from veterinarians and producers following the continued rollout of its Standardized Outbreak Investigation Program.
Originally launched in 2021, the program was endorsed by the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) in 2023. In 2024, SHIC introduced a web-based platform to enhance accessibility and usability, further increasing participation across the industry.
A Structured Approach to Outbreak Response
According to SHIC Associate Director Dr. Lisa Becton, the program provides a standardized format to collect detailed herd demographic data and outbreak information. This structured approach enables hazard analysis and helps identify potential biosecurity vulnerabilities following a disease event.
By using a consistent framework, veterinarians and producers can:
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Conduct thorough post-outbreak investigations
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Compare and contrast outbreak events across farms
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Identify common risk factors contributing to disease introduction
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Recognize unique, farm-specific vulnerabilities
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Strengthen long-term biosecurity strategies
Dr. Becton emphasizes that investigations are valuable not only at the individual farm level but also at a broader system and industry level. When outbreak data is aggregated in a standardized format, it allows for meaningful analysis of patterns and trends that can improve preparedness across the pork sector.
Flexible Reporting Options Increase Adoption
The program is available in both digital and paper-based formats, ensuring accessibility regardless of connectivity or operational preference. Veterinarians have noted that the tool is practical, user-friendly, and adaptable for investigating outbreaks of any cause.
Feedback has been strong for both the web-based application and the traditional written format, demonstrating widespread acceptance within the veterinary community.
Strengthening Industry-Wide Biosecurity
As disease pressures continue to challenge swine production, standardized data collection and analysis provide a critical advantage. The ability to benchmark outbreaks and identify recurring risk factors supports proactive biosecurity improvements and reinforces industry resilience.
Details on SHIC’s Standardized Outbreak Investigation Program can be found through SHIC’s January eNewsletter. The investigation tool is available at swinehealth.org.
