This July marks the 10th anniversary of the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC), a key player in protecting the health and biosecurity of the U.S. swine herd. Since its launch in 2015, SHIC has led the charge on emerging disease preparedness, targeted research, and real-time data monitoring to stay ahead of health threats facing pork producers.
Under the leadership of Dr. Megan Niederwerder, SHIC has initiated and coordinated critical projects that impact every sector of the industry—from nursery barns to slaughter plants.
Looking Ahead by Staying Prepared
“Our work has centered on identifying the next disease risk before it becomes a crisis,” says Dr. Niederwerder. “We’re constantly asking—how can we prepare for, prevent, and mitigate these risks?”
Notable research initiatives over the past decade include:
-
Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV): Following outbreaks in Australia, SHIC launched a comprehensive program to assess the risk of JEV reaching North America, including studies on mosquito exposure prevention on farms.
-
Wean-to-Harvest Biosecurity: SHIC invested heavily in improving biosecurity practices in nursery and grow-finish systems, as well as the transportation segment—a vital link in the chain from herd to harvest.
-
H5N1 Avian Influenza and Swine: In response to the 2024 H5N1 outbreak in dairy cattle, SHIC proactively evaluated the risk to swine herds. Research focused on early detection, limiting introduction, and mitigating production impact if the virus crosses species.
A Decade of Impact—and Counting
As swine production continues to evolve, so too does the disease landscape. SHIC’s work in global disease monitoring, targeted research, and preparedness tools remains essential to minimizing disruptions in pork supply and protecting herd health.
Producers and veterinarians can access ongoing resources, research updates, and surveillance tools at swinehealth.org.
