Perspectives of on-farm biosecurity and disease prevention among selected pig veterinarians and pig farmers in Sweden

Background: Biosecurity is important in preventing the spread of infectious diseases inanimal production. Previous studies have identified a disparity between the biosecurityrecommendations provided by veterinarians and the actual practices implemented byfarmers. This study compared group discussions with a few key actors among Swedishpig veterinarians and farmers on pig farm biosecurity.Methods: Two focus group discussions were conducted, one with five Swedish pig vet-erinarians and one with three pig farmers, to explore their views on pig farm biosecurityand efficient biosecurity measures. The discussions were analysed to identify differencesand similarities in how biosecurity was perceived.Results: The study identified differences between the veterinarians and pig farmers inhow they perceived good biosecurity and the level of biosecurity in Swedish pig herds. The veterinarians perceived that adhering strictly to the farming system and its barrierswas essential for good biosecurity. The biosecurity in the pig farms was often consideredinadequate. The veterinarians described difficulties in biosecurity-related communica-tion with the farmers. The pig farmers valued the flexibility of the farming system overstrict barriers and described that the level of biosecurity was good in Swedish pig herds. However, both groups also shared similar views regarding the challenges in farm biose-curity. They highlighted that biosecurity measures with proven efficacy are importantfor farmer motivation.Conclusions: This limited study suggested that different perspectives on biosecuritycan contribute to communication difficulties between pig farmers and veterinarians. Acknowledging both the differences and similarities of the different perspectives mayhelp improve cooperation and communication in biosecurity-related questions

Influence on disease spread dynamics of herd characteristics in a structured livestock industry

Studies of between-herd contacts may provide important insight to disease transmission dynamics. By comparing the result from models with different levels of detail in the description of animal movement, we studied how factors influence the final epidemic size as well as the dynamic behaviour of an outbreak. We investigated the effect of contact heterogeneity of pig herds in Sweden due to herd size, between-herd distance and production type. Our comparative study suggests that the production-type structure is the most influential factor. Hence, our results imply that production type is the most important factor to obtain valid data for and include when modelling and analysing this system. The study also revealed that all included factors reduce the final epidemic size and also have yet more diverse effects on initial rate of disease spread. This implies that a large set of factors ought to be included to assess relevant predictions when modelling disease spread between herds. Furthermore, our results show that a more detailed model changes predictions regarding the variability in the outbreak dynamics and conclude that this is an important factor to consider in risk assessment

Assessment of control measures against livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a farrow-to-finish pig herd using infectious disease modelling

Pigs are considered to be the main reservoir for livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA), which is a zoonotic opportunistic pathogen. As LA-MRSA is an occupational hazard, there is an incentive to control its spread in pig herds. Currently, knowledge about effective control measures which do not require culling the whole herd are limited, and the control strategies against LA-MRSA vary between countries. This study uses a stochastic compartment model to simulate possible control measures for LA-MRSA in a farrow-to-finish pig herd. The aims of the study were to (1) extend a previously published disease spread model with additional management and control measures; (2) use the extended model to study the effect of the individual LA-MRSA control measures on the within-herd LA-MRSA prevalence; (3) evaluate the effect of control measures when they are implemented in combinations. From the individual control measures tested in the study, thorough cleaning was found to be most effective in reducing the LA-MRSA prevalence in the herd. When the different control measures were combined, cleaning together with disease surveillance had the largest impact on reducing the LA-MRSA and a higher chance of causing disease elimination. The results of the study showed that achieving disease elimination once LA-MRSA had been introduced in the herd was challenging but was more likely when control measures were introduced early during the outbreak. This emphasises the importance of early detection of the pathogen and subsequent rapid implementation of LA-MRSA control measures.(c) 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of The Animal Consortium. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Trust, agreements, and occasional breakdowns: Veterinarians' perspectives on farmer-veterinarian relationships and use of antimicrobials for Swedish dairy cattle

Studies have shown that farmer-veterinarian relationships influence antimicrobial use (AMU) in livestock, though how they do so is unclear. On the one hand, research shows that well-established veterinarian-farmer relationships are positive for implementation of antibiotic stewardship and restrictive AMU. On the other hand, studies also show that farmer demands can increase antimicrobial prescribing and that prescribing antimicrobials can strengthen the veterinarian's relationship with farmer clients. In the present study, we focus on veterinarians' perspectives on the relationships between dairy cattle farmers and veterinarians in Sweden and explore what characterizes these relationships when restrictive AMU is described as unproblematic and when AMU becomes a matter of tension or conflict. The study draws on semistructured interviews with 21 veterinarians working with livestock in Sweden. Interviews were analyzed thematically. The study shows that from the perspectives of veterinarians, well-established veterinarian-farmer relationships generally facilitate restrictive AMU in 3 slightly different but related ways: (1) they create trust in the veterinarian and their prescribing decisions; (2) they create shared understanding concerning when antimicrobials are needed and not needed; and (3) they facilitate constructive discussions between veterinarians and farmers on AMU. To make the farmer feel listened to and to come to an agreement on AMU was described as central for the veterinarians. However, the veterinarians described agreements on restrictive AMU as sometimes requiring strategic work, such as discussions to motivate the farmer and leave the door open for antimicrobials later if needed. Such work takes time and energy and is easier within well-established relationships according to the veterinarians. We also identified examples where veterinarians explained that they occasionally make compromises with farmers concerning antimicrobials—compromises that, according to the veterinarians, facilitate the relationship with the farmer, which in turn facilities restrictive AMU in the longer term. The examples in our interviews where antimicrobials became a matter of tension and even conflict between veterinarians and farmers could, with a few exceptions, be traced to absence of well-established relationships. However, some veterinarians also described AMU as a matter of tension within well-established relationships, especially with older farmers who do not trust new treatment strategies. We also found a small number of examples where disagreements on antimicrobials made a relationship with specific farmers impossible. Thus, even though the interviewed veterinarians generally meant that their restrictive antimicrobial prescribing did not threaten the relationship with the farmer, our study also, to some extent, confirms research showing that restrictive AMU can harm the relationship with some clients who simply choose another, less restrictive, veterinarian. In summary, our study supports that decisions on AMU cannot be reduced to the individual prescriber's behavior, nor to a strict medical judgment. Antimicrobial use for dairy cattle needs to be understood as taking form in relationships in which both veterinarians and farmers are active parts

”The Swedish experience” – a summary on the Swedish efforts towards a low and prudent use of antibiotics in animal production

In 1986, Sweden, as the first country in the world banned all use of antibiotics as growth promoters in food animal production. Today Sweden has the third lowest sales of veterinary antimicrobial agents for food producing animals in Europe. In 2018, total sales of antibiotics for animal use in Sweden were 10 042 kg active substance as compared to 53.4 tonnes in 1984 (before the ban). The low use of antibiotics in animals and the comparatively favorable situation in Sweden with regards to antibiotic resistance are the results of decades of inter-sectorial collaboration and work on disease prevention and animal health. This review is a quick summary of the Swedish work towards a low and prudent use of antibiotics, including figures on antibiotic use in Swedish production animals and a discussion about important success factors as well as lessons learned

Restrictive but not restricted: perspectives on antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance among Swedish dairy veterinarians

Background and aims In Europe, the antimicrobial use (AMU) for food-producing animals has decreased rapidly. However, studies indicate that a too strict policy, with too restrictive AMU, is potentially problematic for veterinarians because it threatens animal welfare and creates tensions between farmers and veterinarians. The AMU in Sweden is among the lowest in Europe, and regulation of AMU in farm animals is strict. The aim of our study was to explore how Swedish veterinarians describe the relations between (1) being restrictive with antibiotics due to the risk of AMR and (2) concerns for animal welfare and/or the veterinarian-client relationship. Methods Semi-structured interviews with 21 veterinarians, working with dairy cattle, were performed. The transcripts were analysed, and a number of dominant patterns which recurred in all, or most of, the interviews were identified. Result The interviewed veterinarians described AMR prevention and tackling the threat AMR poses towards public health, as central for their profession and as influencing their everyday practice and decisions on AMU. Importantly, veterinarians described accounting for AMR in everyday practice as fairly unproblematic, both in relation to animal welfare as well as in relation to farmers. The veterinarians generally perceived that they could treat animals with antibiotics when justified, and being restrictive with antibiotics was described as an expression of professional skill and not as challenging as animal welfare. Moreover, they stated that restrictive AMU seldom or never caused conflicts with farmers. Conclusion Strict AMU policy and restrictive AMU do not necessarily put veterinarians in a problematic position where they are caught between conflicting demands and risks

Survival of livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus CC398 on different surface materials

Background Zoonotic livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) is widely spread in pig herds in many countries. However, the knowledge regarding the survival of LA-MRSA in the pig farm environ-ment is currently limited. The aim of this study was to assess the survival of LA-MRSA on different surface materials found in the farm environment. The study investigated the survival of two different LA-MRSA strains belonging to the clonal complex (CC) 398 on four different surfaces: stainless steel, polypropylene plastic, K30 concrete and commercial concrete disk coupons. The survival of the bacteria over time was determined by the viable count method and, where possible, fitting a model to the observed data by using nonlinear least squares method to calculate the half-life ( t1/2) for different strain and material combinations.Results The study showed that the half-life of the bacteria was longer on polypropylene plastic (t(1/2)=11.08- 15.78 days) than on stainless steel (t(1/2)=2.45-7.83 days). On these materials, both LA-MRSA strains survived through the 14 week observation period. The bacterial decay was fastest on the concrete surfaces, where LA-MRSA became undetectable after 3-9 weeks.Conclusions The survival of LA-MRSA in the pig farm environment may be affected by different surface materials. A more frequent sampling protocol (< 7 days) is needed to determine the half-life on concrete surfaces

Diverging Discourses: Animal Health Challenges and Veterinary Care in Northern Uganda

People in northern Uganda are currently rebuilding their lives after a lengthy period of conflict. To facilitate this, the Ugandan government and donors have promoted investment in pigs as an important strategy for generating income quickly and ensuring livelihood security. In this context, animal health issues are an acknowledged challenge, creating uncertainty for animal owners who risk losing both their animals and income. This paper draws on policy documents guiding the veterinary sector, interviews with faculty staff at Makerere University and with veterinarians and paraprofessionals in northern Uganda, and ethnographic fieldwork in smallholder communities. The aims of this study were to contribute to an understanding of the structure of veterinary support and its dominant development narratives in policy and veterinary education and of the way in which dominant discourses and practices affect smallholders' ability to treat sick animals. Particular attention was paid to the role of paraprofessionals, here referring to actors with varied levels of training who provide animal health services mainly in rural areas. The results suggest that veterinary researchers, field veterinarians and government officials in agricultural policy share a common discourse in which making smallholders more business-minded and commercializing smallholder production are important elements in reducing rural poverty in Uganda. This way of framing smallholder livestock production overlooks other important challenges faced by smallholders in their livestock production, as well as alternative views of agricultural development. The public veterinary sector is massively under-resourced; thus while inadequately trained paraprofessionals and insufficient veterinary support currently present a risks to animal health, paraprofessionals fulfill an important role for smallholders unable to access the public veterinary sector. The dominant discourse framing paraprofessionals as "quacks" tends to downplay how important they are to smallholders by mainly highlighting the negative outcomes for animal healthcare resulting from their lack of formalized training. The conclusions of this study are that both animal health and smallholders' livelihoods would benefit from closer collaboration between veterinarians and paraprofessionals and from a better understanding of smallholders' needs

First Detection of Salmonella enterica Serovar Choleraesuis in Free Ranging European Wild Boar in Sweden

Following the first detection of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica, serovar Choleraesuis (S. Choleraesuis) in a Swedish pig herd for more than 40 years and subsequent detection of the same serotype in an enclosure with kept wild boar, a national surveillance for S. Choleraesuis in free living wild boar was launched. A total of 633 wild boar sampled within the active and the enhanced passive surveillance were examined for Salmonella enterica serovars by culture. Of these, 80 animals were culture positive for S. Choleraesuis var. Kunzendorf. All positive animals, including those in the original outbreaks, originated from counties located in the southern and eastern parts of Sweden. Fifty-eight isolates were selected for sequence typing, revealing a relatively homogenous population of S. Choleraesuis with two distinct genetic clusters containing isolates from the southern counties in one and the counties further northeast in the other. Sequenced isolates from domestic pig farms all clustered with wild boar in the same region. S. Choleraesuis appears highly contagious in dense wild boar populations, making it a relevant model for other infectious diseases that may be transmitted to pigs. The many potential routes of introduction and spread of S. Choleraesuis warrant further investigations in order to prepare for other disease threats