BANFF, Alta. — Canada is in a persistent state of vulnerability to a livestock disease outbreak, says an Ontario veterinarian, and it should prepare its defences for the almost inevitable arrival of a new disease threat.
Dr. Doug MacDougald, an Ontario swine veterinarian, said 8,000 sows farrow every day in Canada. The widespread outbreak of a trade limiting disease would be catastrophic to the industry as it tried to deal with thousands of new pigs.
However, there is a general lack of preparedness for such an event.
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“We haven’t gotten rid of any emerging pathogens in the last 40 years,” MacDougald told those at the Jan. 12-14 Banff Swine Seminar, quoting from a paper by swine veterinarian Dr. Robert Desrosier. Nor is it known how any of the main pathogens were introduced or why they emerged.
Porcine reproductive respiratory syndrome, better known by its acronym, PRRS, has cost the swine industry an estimated $15 billion since it was first detected and continues to cost Canadian producers $130 million annually.
Even so, it took more than 20 years for researchers and veterinarians to realize the importance of aerosol transmission of the illness.
The most recent severe disease outbreak, porcine epidemic diarrhea virus or PED, showed Canada’s lack of preparedness, said MacDougald, even though it has been generally contained.
Other transboundary diseases — those that are highly contagious, rapidly spread and can have serious economic and animal health effects — include circovirus and pandemic flu as well as PRRS and PED.
“It is just not clear who does what within our federal government, provincial government and industry regarding emerging disease,” he said.
“Even though we export a significant amount, the majority amount of our product, the provincial pork boards and Canadian Pork Council in conjunction with our governments have not created a single-voice organization with the support of all involved to shape swine health strategy in Canada.”
MacDougald said the reason for that was complacency and the “regulatory black hole” when transboundary diseases are involved.
He suggests a national entity be developed to improve swine health and define national and provincial government actions in the event of a disease outbreak.
It would also develop a mandatory surveillance system to detect emerging disease.
MacDougald said such a strategy, also outlined in a paper by swine veterinarian and researcher Dr. John Harding, would call more heavily on industry to develop preparedness plans and make a plan to reduce antimicrobial use through better herd health in general.
barb.glen@producer.com
