SHIC recommends using the standardized outbreak investigation form app – Swineweb.com

Farmscape for October 3, 2024

The Swine Health Information Center encourages pork producers and veterinarians to download and use the Standardized Outbreak Investigation Form app during a swine disease outbreak investigation. As part of its September e-newsletter, the Swine Health Information Center addresses how to use the Standardized Outbreak Investigation Form App. SHIC Vice Director Dr. Lisa Becton says the app was developed to meet the industry's need for a standardized tool to conduct outbreak investigations.

Quote-Dr. Lisa Becton Pig Health Information Center:
This tool is a truly unique tool to provide producers and veterinarians with a standardized and consistent format to use during an outbreak. It gives them a format that they can use during the investigation to try to understand the risks and possible causes of the outbreak and then further improve their own biosecurity. The app was launched in early 2023 and includes both a downloadable form and web-based application entry. Both can be accessed via the SHIC website.

A lot of the feedback we've received is that this helps with investigations and provides a standardized format for these investigations.
Whether it's PRRS or PED, having a standardized format really helps increase the accuracy of an exam and comparability.

We've also heard that it highlights opportunities for improvement in operations, so that people not only understand what may be the cause of the investigation, but also highlight areas of potential improvement.

Dr. Becton notes that information on the Standardized Outbreak Investigation Form App is available through the SHIC website at swinehealth.org. To use the web-based version, veterinarians should contact the Iowa State University administrator at [email protected] for access, a one-time process.

For more information, visit Farmscape.Ca. Bruce Cochrane.

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