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Pseudorabies Eradication Task Force Report
April 7, 2004

Dr. Mike Gilsdorf talked about dealing with feral swine issues.  He emphasized that dealing with the interface between feral/transitional swine and commercial swine is critical at this point in the eradication program.  He proposed a draft plan to register or certify all commercial swine premises in each state.  He also suggested that this registration process could be included in Program Standards as a requirement for state status.  Under his proposal, all premises not registered as commercial would be classified as feral/transitional.  He discussed requirements for intrastate movement of swine and issues surrounding indemnity for swine infected with pseudorabies.  He emphasized that implementation of USAIP will be a key part of this effort.

The Task Force passed a motion to endorse the concept of registration of commercial swine operations in the United States and ask the Pseudorabies Program Standards Subcommittee to see how this concept might be incorporated into Program Standards.

Phil Bradshaw delivered the report from the National Pseudorabies Control Board.  He emphasized that all states must submit a management plan for feral/transitional swine with applications for state status.  These plans should follow the format developed at the feral swine meeting held in Tampa, Florida.  Twenty state applications were reviewed and approved or sent back for supplemental information.  He discussed surveillance issues and that states with five years of Stage V status, no cases of pseudorabies in five years, and no feral swine may be eligible for a waiver of surveillance requirements.

Dr. Ron Blair, USDA Area Veterinarian in Charge (AVIC) in Arkansas, talked about how they developed their management plan for feral/transitional swine.  He said that full implementation of a plan to separate feral/transitional swine from commercial swine will require a change in state laws.  He also said that they will need changes in the Generic Data Base and implementation of the USAIP to achieve their goals.  He reported that in Arkansas, 90% of the swine premises would be classified as feral/transitional.

Dr. John Korslund talked about pseudorabies research needs.  Areas that may need to be addressed include transmission of feral strains of virus, the effect of vaccine in feral swine, sensitivity and specificity of tests in feral swine, and GIS studies of feral swine distribution.  He felt that we should deemphasize vaccination or population reduction studies for feral swine.

Dr. Adam Grow presented his thoughts on possible changes for Program Standards.  His suggestions will be forwarded to the Pseudorabies Program Standards Subcommittee for consideration.

Resolutions from 2003 were reviewed and amended, reaffirmed, or deleted.

A resolution was passed to end the activities of the Pseudorabies Eradication Task Force.  The National Institute for Animal Agriculture and its predecessor, the Livestock Conservation Institute have played critically important roles throughout the pseudorabies eradication effort.  The goal of having all states in Stage V (Free) status will be achieved in 2005.  Although surveillance and vigilance will continue to be necessary, the work of the Pseudorabies Eradication Task Force has been completed.  The Task Force recommends that future concerns with pseudorabies eradication be addressed by the NIAA Swine Health Committee.