Swine Health Board launches health network

Ottawa – The Canadian Swine Health Board (CSHB) has created a health network to help fill the gaps in national surveillance needs within the hog industry in Canada.

The new Canadian Swine Health Intelligence Network (CSHIN) is seen as a cornerstone of the long-term sustainability and progress of the swine industry in Canada.

Among other things, says the CSHB, the network will facilitate more formal and detailed discussions about health issues among swine practitioners. The health network will include a body of data to assist in understanding trends in current endemic diseases.

CSHIN will also focus efforts at identifying new health concerns as they arise.

National dialogue

“CSHIN will provide the opportunity for national dialogue in responding to health events, which was unfortunately not in place during the Circovirus crisis,” says Dan Hurnik, chair of the CSHB’s Long Term Disease Risk Management Advisory Committee.

“This lack of a national surveillance system made the impacts of Circovirus even more devastating to the industry – CSHIN is addressing that gap.”

The CSHB says the plan is for CSHIN to incorporate intelligence from the many surveillance systems already in place if access is granted and provide greater value to stakeholders.

Since this project is just beginning, operating protocols and terms of reference will be developed through consultations with industry stakeholders.

The CSHB was formed to proactively address swine health challenges through leadership, coordination and support in the management of the health of the Canadian swine herd.

Its members include the Canadian Association of Swine Veterinarians, the Canadian Association of Veterinary Colleges, the Canadian Centre for Swine Improvement, the Canadian Meat Council and the Canadian Pork Council. CSHB funding has been provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, as part of the Initiative for the Control of Diseases in the Hog Industry.