News

Apiam Animal Health pig veterinarian and lecturer at Murdoch University Dr Kate Savage recently attended Asian Agribiz’s Pig Health+ Conference in May to discuss her experience with Streptococcus equi zooepidemicus (SEZ).

The two-day conference was held in Hoi Chi Minh City, covering topics including African Swine Fever vaccine development and management, biosecurity, repopulation, PED, sow longevity and selecting gilts.

Dr Kate Savage presented her experience with the clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment of SEZ, which is becoming increasingly recognised as a clinical problem in a number of pig farms around the world.

“We are seeing finisher pigs with obvious lethargy and weakness, as well as respiratory signs. Pigs become acutely septic or die suddenly,” Dr Savage said.

“This pathogen has only been seen a handful of times around the world that we’re aware of, but the large numbers of sudden deaths it causes is of serious concern and presents a significant challenge for staff on farm.”

Dr Kate Savage also focused her discussion on prevention measures and control programs, to reduce the impact SEZ can have on farm.

“We added a prescribed antibiotic in the feed as treatment during the outbreak. We also increased disinfection by limewashing the facility,” said Dr Savage.

“Our current focus is to look for information about the prospects of eradicating SEZ, while also trying to answer that nagging question in the back of our mind of how the bacteria got into the farm in the first place.”

For more information regarding Dr Kate Savage’s presentation, SEZ or any other Apiam Animal Health services or products, please call 1800 426 142.

Dr Kate Savage on stage presenting her SEZ findings at the 2023 Asian Agribiz Pig Health+ Conference held in Hoi Chi Minh City.