The Canada West Swine Health Intelligence Network (CWSHIN) has released its Second Quarter Swine Disease Report. Speaking to Farmscape, CWSHIN Manager Dr Jette Christensen says there's reason to be extra vigilant because there are three potential emerging diseases and two of them can mimic foreign animal diseases.

"Of the three disease that we discussed was a new kind of Streptococcus," says Dr Christensen.

"It's called Streptococcus zooepidemicus and we usually just say Strep zoo as a short for that and it's been seen in sows and gilts in Manitoba beginning of May.

"There's also been two cases of Clostridium and this Clostridium is relatively rare.

"It's called Clostridium septicum and this disease is worthy of attention because it can actually mimic African swine fever or classical swine fever so the clinical signs could suggest those foreign animal diseases.

"We also have the ongoing story of Seneca Valley virus.

"It's been brought to attention a couple of times over the last years but this time it's noteworthy because there are two cases, not in our region but in Ontario.

"These two cases were in sow herds and not on assembly yards so that's why we raise the flag on this disease.

"It is also a disease that can mimic a foreign animal disease and in this specific situation it can mimic foot-and-mouth disease or other vesicular diseases, so diseases that cause blisters."

Dr Christensen says it's important to be extra vigilant and to make ensure good transport biosecurity of cull sows and market hogs because these infections have shown up at slaughter.