The Swine Health Information Center and the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research have partnered to fund a $1 million research program to respond to the threat of Japanese Encephalitis Virus. JEV is capable of infecting pigs, horses and people and can be carried by both mosquitoes and waterbirds. A JEV outbreak struck Australia two years ago, affecting breeding swine and leading to reproductive failure, stillbirths, abortions and weak piglets. SHIC Associate Director Lisa Becton says a lot can be learned from what happened in Australia. “Right now, the U.S. does not have the virus so we’re in prevention mode, but also monitoring. So, we’re understanding from Australia what their experiences were with the virus, how they managed and handled the virus, and a lot of their efforts were focused on mosquito control.” SHIC and FFAR are accepting research proposals until April 15.
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