A case of Senecavirus A has been confirmed in a sow herd in Ontario.

The virus has been circulating in the province since 2016, but this is the first time that SVA has been detected in pigs on a farm. The sow herd showed clinical signs of disease and notified the herd vet who contacted the Canadian Food Inspection Agency on June 29, 2019.

The Office of the Chief Veterinarian, at OMAFRA, issued a notice July 3 urging pork producers who see any signs of disease, such as feed refusal, lameness or lethargy, to contact their herd vet, and stop moving animals immediately.

SVA causes blisters or ulcers on the snout, mouth and along the coronary band, just above the hoof of pigs.

It is provincially reportable, and because it is virtually indistinguishable from Foot and Mouth disease, which is a foreign animal disease, SVA it could cause temporary market disruptions until its confirmed.

Senecavirus A does not pose a risk to food safety or public health.