Why is this research important for Alberta ag?
In 2019, zoonotic Streptococcus zooepidemicus (Szoo) emerged in Canada causing multiple outbreaks of generalized infection, high mortality and abortions in pigs. This disease is indistinguishable from African Swine Fever. Within a 3-month window, an outbreak in an Albertan farm resulted in 10% mortality of the breeding herd, costing $1,500,000. With no effective commercial vaccine available, depopulation (removal of all animals from a farm) is the only control measure that is partially successful – and very costly. Swine veterinarians and producers (including the largest antibiotic-free producer in North America) are part of the research team that have developed a vaccine against Szoo. This vaccine has shown to significantly prevent morbidity and mortality due to Szoo infection. The work proposed here will help bring this technology closer to commercialization for use by the swine industry.
What benefits can producers expect from this research?
The Alberta livestock industry as well as Albertans in general will benefit from having access to a safe and efficacious S. zooepidemicus vaccine, something yet not available in the swine industry. This will help reduce the need for antimicrobial usage to prevent or control outbreaks, reduce the potential for zoonotic and amphixenotic transmission of this pathogen, keeping the Albertan swine industry competitive and sustainable long-term.
How will these research findings reach producers on-farm?
The outcomes of this project will generate evidence to support the licensing and commercialization of this vaccine for Canadian producers. An assessment of production scalability has been conducted to ensure a seamless transition from lab-bench to on-farm application. The project team will actively share knowledge with producers and veterinarians while leveraging established partnerships with the veterinary pharmaceutical industry to facilitate vaccine access for producers.
Work is already in process to develop the vaccine into a product for use by Canadian producers. Production scalability to commercial levels has also been evaluated and confirmed. Future partners will include veterinary pharmaceutical companies.
Funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.