USA- The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) has recently funded a significant study aimed at exploring effective feed mill decontamination methods. 

Dr. Chad Paulk of Kansas State University spearheaded this research project, focusing on understanding the best flushing, thermal processing, and decontamination techniques for a feed mill after exposure to porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), and Seneca Valley virus 1 (SVV1).

The study, motivated by the potential risk of feed and feed ingredients acting as a route for introducing and spreading African swine fever (ASF) virus and other transboundary viruses, aimed to provide insights into mitigating these risks in the U.S. swine industry.

In addition to standard PCR testing for viral RNA, the research team evaluated the infectivity of feed and environmental samples post-decontamination using swine bioassays. 

The findings indicated that chemical flushing, thermal processing, and facility decontamination methods successfully reduced the quantity of viral RNA. However, the study emphasized the need for more research to comprehend the impact of these techniques on virus infectivity.

Dr. Chad Paulk secured funding from SHIC, the Institute for Feed Education and Research, the United Soybean Board, and the Animal Nutrition Association of Canada to conduct this investigation. The project, recently concluded, delivered crucial results to inform the North American swine industry on feed manufacturing facility decontamination processes.

The research encompassed various methods, including chemical additives, pelleting of feed, and facility decontamination techniques, with a focus on mitigating the risk of PRRSV, PEDV, and SVV1 spread from contaminated feed mills. 

Formaldehyde flushes, whether liquid or dry, emerged as the most effective method for reducing viral concentrations in both feed and the environment. However, eliminating viral RNA from the environment posed a significant challenge.

Complete facility decontamination, involving the removal of organic matter with heated pressure washing, disinfection with 1% Virkon, disinfection with 5% household bleach, and maintaining environmental heat at 140°F for 48 hours, proved to be the only treatment where PEDV, PRRSV, and SVV1 RNA were non-detectable after all steps.

While other treatments, including chlorine dioxide and heat, reduced the quantity of RNA, they did not fully eliminate PCR detection of viruses across mill surfaces. Thermal processing and pelleting, however, reduced the detectable RNA in feed and the environment for all viruses.

The study concluded by highlighting the difficulty in eliminating viral RNA from a contaminated feed mill post-introduction, emphasizing the ongoing importance of biosecurity measures to prevent pathogen entry. The results underscore the need for continued research and emphasis on effective biosecurity practices within the swine industry.

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