By Micah L. Jansen, DVM, Pork Technical Services, Zoetis

It is easy to see how quickly this hidden challenge can get out of control. Vaccination can help protect pigs from respiratory challenges and costly economic losses due to influenza. More specifically, vaccination with FluSure XP^® or FluSure XP combination vaccines offers broad cross-protection against the most relevant strains of influenza in swine to help you be more in control. Here’s how:

Help Protect Against More Strains

A vaccine that helps protect against one strain does not always cross-protect against other strains. Swine influenza A virus (IAV-S) has evolved into more than one subtype and cluster that continues to menace veterinarians and producers trying to help prevent respiratory disease. Swine influenza is complicated, so I recommend this video and article to help provide clarity about the changing genetic and antigenic characteristics of IAV-S field strains and exactly what you need to consider cross-protecting against.

Coverage Against the Most Relevant Strains

Because of the rapid pace of IAV-S genetic changes and transmission, vaccines used for disease prevention need to be updated regularly to maintain efficacy against the most important IAV-S subtypes and clusters currently circulating in swine. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) surveillance, H1N1 Gamma, H1N2 Delta-1 and H3N2 Cluster IV-A are the most prevalent strains of IAV-S that can impact U.S. farms today.[2] The FluSure XP vaccine family was updated in late 2016 to meet the changing antigenic picture to help protect against these most prevalent IAV-S strains. Additionally, Zoetis has ongoing surveillance monitoring in place to help us ensure we are helping provide the right protection for your pigs now and in the future.

Demonstrated Protection

The influenza virus can spread rapidly through herds — even herds with pre-existing immunity.[3] A vaccine that has been demonstrated to be up to this challenge can help give you peace of mind. FluSure XP has demonstrated protection against the most prevalent swine influenza strains — Delta-1 H1N2, Gamma H1N1 and H3N2 Cluster IV-A2,[4,5] — as well as cross-protection against H3N2 Cluster IV-B, H1N1 alpha and H1N1 beta.[5-8] In one study, when pigs vaccinated with FluSure XP were challenged with a virulent H3N2 Cluster IV-A strain, protection was demonstrated by reduction of lung lesions, rectal temperature, nasal shedding and viral titer in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid at necropsy.[4]

Protection Right When You Need It

We typically think of flu season being in the fall and winter months, but swine influenza can strike at any time. No matter when influenza threatens, you need a vaccine that’s available right when you need it. In the time it can take to create an autogenous vaccine, disease could already be spreading. Plus, autogenous vaccines often lack demonstrated efficacy against all the most relevant strains.

This information provides only a small look at some of the advantages and results you’ll see from a vaccine that offers cross-protection against different swine influenza strains. In our next article, we’ll take a look at some real-world results that a couple operations found by rethinking their vaccination program. For additional guidance on managing swine influenza, I encourage you to work with your veterinarian. For more information and resources, please visit FluSureXP.com

About Zoetis

Zoetis is the leading animal health company, dedicated to supporting its customers and their businesses. Building on more than 60 years of experience in animal health, Zoetis discovers, develops, manufactures and markets veterinary vaccines and medicines, complemented by diagnostic products, genetic tests, biodevices and a range of services. Zoetis serves veterinarians, livestock producers and people who raise and care for farm and companion animals with sales of its products in more than 100 countries. In 2016, the company generated annual revenue of $4.9 billion with approximately 9,000 employees. For more information, visit www.zoetisUS.com.

References:

1 Corzo C, Gramer M, Lowe J, Webby R. Swine influenza active surveillance in the United States, in Proceedings. 6th Inter Symp Emerg Re-emerg Pig Dis 2011;Abstract 30.
2 Veterinary Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services, US Department of Agriculture. Influenza A Virus in Swine Surveillance: Fiscal Year 2017 Quarterly Report; Surveillance Summary for Third Quarter FY 2017. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_dis_spec/swine/downloads/fy2017quarter3swinereport.pdf. Published July 2017. Accessed September 9, 2017.
3 Sandbulte MR, Spickler AR, Zaabel PK, Roth JA. Optimal use of vaccines for control of influenza A virus in swine. Vaccines. 2015;3(1):22-73.
4 Data on file, Study Report No. B820R-US-14-436, Zoetis Inc.
5 FluSure XP® [package insert]. Kalamazoo, Mich: Zoetis Inc., 2016.
6 Kitikoon P, Thacker E, Nilubol D, et al. Immune response and effect of maternal antibody interference on vaccination with bivalent swine influenza virus vaccine, in Proceedings. Amer Assoc Swine Vet 2005;363-365.
7 Gramer M, Rossow K. Epidemiology of swine influenza and implications of reassortment. Proceedings. Allen D. Leman Swine Conf 2004;69-73.
8 Rapp-Gabrielson V, Wicklund E, Ficken M. Efficacy of FluSure against challenge with heterologous reassortant swine influenza H1N1 viruses, in Proceedings. Allen D. Leman Swine Conf 2005;32(Supplement):14.