Understanding the relationship between viruses and their hosts is a complex undertaking. Examining viruses that affect swine production, such as porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) and African swine fever (ASF), are a major priority for the animal feed industry, as its potential spread via feed would have dire consequences.
Since the introduction of PEDV in the U.S., an estimated 7 million to 8 million piglets have died nationwide, resulting in the loss of multiple millions of dollars. While the exact number of pigs that have died from PRRS in the U.S. isn't quantified, the disease has a high mortality rate, costing the U.S. swine industry an estimated US$560 million to US$664 million annually. ASF is a highly transmissible disease that results in up to 100% mortality in swine. In 2018, an outbreak in China caused the death of approximately 40% of its swine and the disease spread to more than 50 countries by 2024. With no licensed vaccines or treatments available for this emerging pathogen, biosecurity and early detection are the only effective management tools.
