{"id":18114,"date":"2026-05-20T15:36:18","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T08:36:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vietstock.org\/?p=18114"},"modified":"2026-05-19T14:04:02","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T07:04:02","slug":"emerging-livestock-diseases","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vietstock.org\/en\/industry-news\/emerging-livestock-diseases\/","title":{"rendered":"Emerging Livestock Diseases: Recognition and Early Response"},"content":{"rendered":"

Emerging Livestock Diseases in 2026: Recognition, Surveillance, and Early Response<\/b><\/h1>\n
\"Veterinarians
Veterinarians check the health of cows in modern livestock farms.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Vietnam\u2019s pig farming sector is facing an increasingly complex reality. In addition to familiar diseases such as African swine fever and foot-and-mouth disease, several emerging pathogens are being closely monitored by experts because they may pose risks to pig farming in the region.<\/span><\/p>\n

One important point is that, for some diseases, real-world data in Vietnam is still limited, farm-level experience in recognizing these diseases remains limited, and commercial vaccines have not been widely licensed. Therefore, farmers need to properly understand warning symptoms, surveillance procedures, and how to respond early when abnormal signs appear in the herd.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Are Emerging Livestock Diseases?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Definition and distinction between emerging diseases, re-emerging diseases, and endemic diseases<\/b><\/h3>\n

In veterinary medicine and epidemiology, an emerging disease is a disease that is recorded for the first time in a livestock population, or a known disease that is spreading to a new geographic area with notable speed, scale, or epidemiological characteristics.<\/span><\/p>\n

A separate group is re-emerging diseases. These are diseases that were previously controlled or rarely seen but have appeared again due to pathogen mutation, weakened herd immunity, changes in farming conditions, or disruption of surveillance systems.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unlike endemic diseases, which usually have relatively clear prevention, diagnosis, and response procedures, emerging diseases often create challenges because there is limited real-world data, they can easily be confused with other diseases, and there may not yet be vaccines or response protocols that are widely applied.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why are emerging diseases appearing more often in pig farming?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Several factors increase the risk of emerging diseases appearing and spreading in pig farming:<\/span><\/p>\n

Increased herd density: Large-scale farms can create conditions for pathogens to spread more quickly if biosecurity is not strictly controlled.<\/span><\/p>\n

Movement of breeding stock and animal products: The transport of breeding pigs, feed, animal products, or vehicles entering and leaving farms can create pathways for pathogens to move between regions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Contact between wildlife and farm animals: Farming areas near forests or near habitats of bats, wild birds, rodents, or insects may face higher risks if vectors and intermediate hosts are not well controlled.<\/span><\/p>\n

Climate change: Changes in temperature, humidity, and habitats can affect the survival, spread, or transmission of certain pathogens.<\/span><\/p>\n

Viral evolution: Some RNA viruses, including coronaviruses and picornaviruses, can mutate rapidly, increasing the risk of new strains or variants with different epidemiological characteristics.<\/span><\/p>\n

Real economic impact on the pig farming sector<\/b><\/h3>\n

The impact of emerging diseases is not limited to direct herd losses. When a disease has not been clearly identified, farm owners may take longer to obtain an accurate diagnosis. During that time, if isolation and reporting are not carried out properly, the pathogen may spread to other pens or nearby farms.<\/span><\/p>\n

Additional costs may include herd losses, testing costs, disinfection costs, disruption of pig sales, additional labor costs, and, in serious cases, animal culling under the decision of the competent authority.<\/span><\/p>\n

Two Emerging Diseases to Monitor in Pig Farming<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Veterinary
Veterinary staff check the health of the pigs in the barn with data recording equipment.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Senecavirus A in pigs: origin, viral characteristics, and the risk of confusion with foot-and-mouth disease<\/b><\/h3>\n

Senecavirus A, previously known as Seneca Valley Virus, is a picornavirus first detected in the United States in the early 2000s. Initially, the virus was not considered a serious disease-causing agent. However, since the mid-2010s, SVA has been reported more frequently in outbreaks with clinical signs in pigs in several large-scale pig-producing countries.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vietnamese farmers need to closely monitor the risk of introduction or appearance of diseases with similar vesicular symptoms, especially because SVA can easily be confused with foot-and-mouth disease. The specific situation in Vietnam should be updated through the Department of Livestock Production & Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, and other official epidemiological sources.<\/span><\/p>\n

SVA can cause vesicles\/blisters and ulcers on the snout, mouth, and feet of pigs. These signs are very easy to confuse with foot-and-mouth disease and several other vesicular diseases in pigs, making differential diagnosis important. In adult pigs, mortality is usually lower, but in newborn piglets, the disease may be associated with diarrhea, weakness, and increased mortality, depending on care conditions and outbreak severity.<\/span><\/p>\n

SADS-CoV in pigs: acute diarrhea coronavirus, severity, and potential risk of transmission to humans<\/b><\/h3>\n

SADS-CoV, short for Swine Acute Diarrhea Syndrome Coronavirus, is also called SeACoV or PEAV in some documents. It is an alphacoronavirus first identified in China in 2017. The virus causes severe acute diarrhea in pig herds, especially in newborn piglets.<\/span><\/p>\n

SADS-CoV is closely related to coronaviruses found in horseshoe bats, suggesting that some pathogens from wildlife may adapt and cause disease in farm animals. According to outbreak reports, SADS-CoV can cause high mortality in piglets under 5 days old. Pregnant or lactating sows may show milder signs but still need to be monitored because they may contribute to virus circulation within the herd.<\/span><\/p>\n

Regarding the risk of transmission to humans, laboratory studies show that SADS-CoV can enter human cells under experimental conditions. However, based on available studies, no natural transmission from pigs to humans has been recorded. Even so, farmers who have direct contact with sick pigs should still apply full personal protective measures as a preventive principle.<\/span><\/p>\n

Quick Comparison of Senecavirus A and SADS-CoV<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Criteria<\/b><\/td>\nSenecavirus A<\/b><\/td>\nSADS-CoV<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pathogen type<\/span><\/td>\nPicornavirus, RNA<\/span><\/td>\nAlphacoronavirus, RNA<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Main symptoms<\/span><\/td>\nVesicles\/blisters and ulcers on the snout, mouth, and feet; diarrhea may occur in piglets<\/span><\/td>\nSevere acute diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
High-risk groups<\/span><\/td>\nNewborn piglets, finishing pigs<\/span><\/td>\nPiglets under 5 days old<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Transmission route<\/span><\/td>\nDirect contact, fecal-oral route, contaminated environment<\/span><\/td>\nFecal-oral route, contact with infected secretions or waste<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mortality rate<\/span><\/td>\nUsually low in older pigs, but may increase in piglets<\/span><\/td>\nHigh in newborn piglets according to outbreak reports<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Easily confused with<\/span><\/td>\nFoot-and-mouth disease, vesicular diseases in pigs<\/span><\/td>\nPEDV, TGE, and other coronavirus-related diarrheal diseases<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Risk of transmission to humans<\/span><\/td>\nNo clear evidence of transmission to humans has been recorded<\/span><\/td>\nPotential shown in laboratory studies, but no natural transmission to humans has been recorded<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Commercial vaccine<\/span><\/td>\nNot widely licensed in Vietnam<\/span><\/td>\nNo commercial vaccine widely licensed in Vietnam<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Other Emerging Diseases Worth Monitoring in Pig Farming<\/b><\/h2>\n

In addition to SVA and SADS-CoV, several other pathogens or disease groups are being monitored by researchers and international veterinary authorities, including:<\/span><\/p>\n

Porcine deltacoronavirus: This virus can cause diarrhea in pigs, especially piglets. Some studies also focus on its potential for cross-species transmission among animals.<\/span><\/p>\n

Swine enteric coronavirus disease group: This group of coronavirus-related diarrheal diseases in pigs needs monitoring because it can cause major losses in piglets. The situation in the region should be checked against the latest epidemiological alerts.<\/span><\/p>\n

New swine influenza strains: These are notable because of their potential for genetic reassortment and risks related to public health.<\/span><\/p>\n

The specific situation of these diseases in Vietnam should be confirmed through the Department of Livestock Production & Animal Health, local veterinary authorities, and official epidemiological sources. Farmers should follow regular alerts rather than relying on unofficial information.<\/span><\/p>\n

Early Recognition of Emerging Diseases in Pigs: Symptoms and Warning Signs<\/b><\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

Key clinical signs of Senecavirus A to recognize in barns<\/b><\/h3>\n

The clinical signs of SVA usually focus on two main groups of symptoms:<\/span><\/p>\n

In finishing pigs and sows: Blisters or ulcers may appear on the snout, lips, tongue, hoof bands, or between the claws. Pigs may have difficulty walking, reduced appetite, mild fever, or reduced movement. This group of symptoms is easily confused with foot-and-mouth disease, so differential testing is needed.<\/span><\/p>\n

In newborn piglets: Diarrhea, dehydration, weakness, and increased mortality may occur in the early stage of life, depending on outbreak severity and care conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Key clinical signs of SADS-CoV in piglets and sows<\/b><\/h3>\n

SADS-CoV mainly affects the digestive tract:<\/span><\/p>\n

Newborn piglets up to 5 days old: Watery yellow or gray diarrhea, vomiting, rapid dehydration, exhaustion, and possible rapid death if supportive care is not provided in time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Piglets from 1\u20134 weeks old: Prolonged diarrhea, stunting, and slow weight gain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sows: They may have mild diarrhea for a short period or show no clear symptoms, but they still need to be monitored because they may be linked to the risk of virus spread within the herd.<\/span><\/p>\n

One important point when comparing SADS-CoV with PEDV and TGE is that SADS-CoV may progress very quickly in newborn piglets. However, a definitive differential diagnosis must be based on laboratory testing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Early warning signs that should not be ignored during daily herd checks<\/b><\/h3>\n

In real farm operations, the following signs should be recorded and handled early:<\/span><\/p>\n