Porcine Sapovirus is making waves in the swine industry, and its impact on weaning weights is under the spotlight. With potential losses of up to $22 per sow annually, this emerging virus is causing concern among practitioners and researchers alike.
Despite being identified in the United States in 1980, Porcine Sapovirus, the industry only recently linked it to diarrhea in U.S. swine herds.
Dr. Will Fombelle, a swine practitioner at Carthage Veterinary Services, shed some light on this infection’s characteristics.
“Typically, it manifests in sow herds and induces diarrhea in young piglets. While the mortality rate remains low, the morbidity is high, adversely affecting weaning weights,” said Dr. Fombelle.
He describes the clinical presentation in sow herds, where healthy farms particularly multiplication sow farms, are most susceptible. The infection typically emerges in mid to late lactation, with piglet diarrhea occurring from day 12 of age and beyond. The consistency of the diarrhea resembles vanilla pudding, similar to other diseases like coccidia and late Rotavirus. It leads to rough-haired pigs and significant wean weight effects, amplifying the morbidity rate.
The economic consequences of Porcine Sapovirus are substantial. Dr. Fombelle estimates that a one-pound loss in weaning weight translates to a staggering $22 per sow per year. This financial burden underscores the importance of budgeting for treatment. Fortunately, effective vaccines are available to manage this virus alongside recommended practical management strategies.
To delve deeper into this issue, the Swine Health Information Center and the American Association of Swine Veterinarians have organized a webinar on Porcine Sapovirus. This educational resource offers valuable insights into the virus’s characteristics and management strategies.
Prairie Diagnostic Services has stepped up its efforts to address the Porcine Sapovirus challenge in Canada. In response to the first Canadian reports of this virus in January, the lab is now screening samples collected from piglets with diarrhea. Dr. Yanyun Huang, CEO of Prairie Diagnostic Services, emphasizes the importance of this diagnostic test since the virus was first associated with piglet diarrhea in the U.S. in 2019.
Dr. Huang highlights the collaboration between Prairie Diagnostic Services and the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Iowa State University, which fast-tracked the availability of this diagnostic test in Canada. While offering the test a research test with a disclaimer, its use is crucial in identifying and addressing porcine sapovirus. Identifying the virus accurately is essential, given that its clinical signs mimic those of other enteric viruses, ensuring the proper treatment.
The Canada West Swine Health Intelligence Network (CWSHIN) also actively monitors the situation. Dr. Jette Christensen, CWSHIN Manager, acknowledges the collaborative efforts among practitioners and laboratories. The group discussed the emergence of sapovirus in the second quarter of the swine health surveillance report for the region. The virus had initially presented challenges due to limited diagnostic resources in Canada, with samples sent to the U.S. for testing.
Dr. Christensen commends the incredible collaboration in the region, which led to the development a diagnostic test within six months.
“It’s amazing that the practitioners, the laboratory experts in the regions, can collaborate and develop a test and dig into a completely new virus within six months. That’s a testament to an incredible regional collaboration,” she said.
However, there is still much to learn about the role of Sapovirus in causing scours. Researchers and practitioners are working diligently to understand this emerging virus better.
Porcine Sapovirus has emerged as a significant concern in the ever-evolving landscape of swine health. The collaboration among practitioners, laboratories, and researchers is instrumental in addressing this new challenge and safeguarding the swine industry’s future. •
— By Harry Siemens