The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC), National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), the American Association of Swine Veterinarians and the National Pork Board are holding a series of webinars on Senecavirus A (Seneca Valley Virus) for veterinary practitioners and pork producers. The first webinar is today, May 16. The follow webinars will take place May 18 and 20 each starting at 4 p.m. Central.

The first one-hour webinar on May 16, “Here’s what we know about the virus and how to manage it”, will present results of SHIC’s and USDA’s 2015-16 research investment on the virus. Epidemiological investigations, virus transmission, sow and grow-finish shedding and a case example of a herd closure to eliminate the virus from the farm will be presented.

The one-hour, May 18 webinar, “An update on current diagnostic tools – capabilities and work still to be done”, will focus on SHIC’s and universities’ funded research on Senecavirus A diagnostics. The genetic diversity of the virus in the U.S. and an update about the virus in South America, interpreting PCR values as they correlate to virus isolation and the latest information about current and future serology tests will be presented.

The final one-hour webinar on May 20 will be, “Reporting vesicles and lesions – what to expect”. USDA and a state animal health official will present what practitioners and producers need to know about the state and federal government’s roles and responsibilities in investigating cases of vesicular disease. The National Animal Health Laboratory Network and the Plum Island Animal Disease Center will describe the samples, testing and timeline needed to rule out Foot and Mouth Disease during an investigation.

Registration is limited and will be closed from 12:00 PM CDT to 5:00 PM CDT each day of the webinars.