Farm Journal’s Pork Network Dot Com reports the Swine Health Information Center has funded a nearly real-time monitoring system for swine disease across the globe. The system will include the capability for identifying potential hazards due to new diseases or potential changes in current diseases. It will also be able to screen the information collected and regularly report it to the pork industry. The system is a collaborative project between the University of Minnesota and USDA/APHIS Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health. Swine Health Information Center Executive Director Paul Sundberg says, “Having a systematic way to monitor new or emerging diseases around the globe helps keep the U.S. pork industry informed of risks. Knowing the changes in risks will spur thinking about how to mitigate them.” Data will be evaluated by a group of swine health experts on a regular basis. The information will be graded to decide on a consensus of risk to the U.S. pork industry. The system is expected to be ready early next year.
From the National Association of Farm Broadcasting News Service.