Detection of a Swine Erysipelas Outbreak Using Enhanced Passive Surveillance

An erysipelas outbreak in U.S. swine was successfully detected early through an enhanced passive surveillance (EPS) program involving Federal and industry partnership. The concept for EPS involves gathering syndromic and observational data from multiple animal health surveillance sources, including private practitioners, livestock markets, livestock harvest facilities, and veterinary diagnostic laboratories. In early 2012, signals indicating increased erysipelas activity in swine in Iowa occurred in both harvest facilities and private practitioner surveillance streams. Corroboration and validation between the two data streams assisted the swine industry in making the decision to enhance disease prevention activities and mitigate the outbreak.