UW-Madison Researchers Lead Efforts to Understand, Thwart New Coronavirus

February 17, 2020 | Volume 98

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WLIC Trivia

What percentage of U.S. grocery stores sell Wisconsin Cheese?

See answer below!

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UW-Madison Researchers Lead Efforts to Understand, Thwart New Coronavirus

Back in 2016, when Zika virus first began to cause infections in the Americas, University of Wisconsin–Madison researchers pulled together a coalition of scientists to study the virus and openly share their data for others.

Two weeks ago, those researchers — David O’Connor , professor at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, and Thomas Friedrich , professor in the UW School of Veterinary Medicine — used the 2016 playbook to start planning efforts to study the novel coronavirus that first emerged in Wuhan, China, in late December 2019.

In the News

NPPC Applauds House Passage of Ag Inspectors Bill

The U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation today that authorizes funding for 740 new agricultural inspectors at land, air and sea ports to prevent African swine fever (ASF) and other foreign animal diseases (FAD) from entering the United States, according to a release from the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). The Senate approved an identical version of the bill (S. 2017) in October 2019. Providing additional agricultural inspectors is one of NPPC’s top priorities.

5 Lessons Russia Learned from African Swine Fever

Is it possible to live with African swine fever (ASF)? Although no one wants to live with this devastating virus that has no cure or vaccine, Ilia Zubtsov, genetic and technical services manager for PIC Russia, said it’s possible. But, there are several things the industry will need to do to make it happen.

In 2007, the first reported case of ASF struck Russia. The number of outbreaks grew in Russia’s domestic herd by over 400% in 2016. At the Iowa Pork Congress , Zubtsov said despite ASF, Russia consistently grew pork production from 2007 to 2019.

Disease Elimination Can Lower the Cost of Production

U.S. producers have robust export markets and a lower cost of production than many other countries, but Joe Connor, DVM, says cost of production could be even lower if producers could focus on eliminating diseases rather than controlling them.

Connor, who serves as advisor to the Carthage System and as a consultant to Carthage (Ill.) Veterinary Service Ltd, told Pig Health Today that disease is an input that “really changes that cost of production…At some point we need to ask ourselves, ‘Can we eliminate those particular agents and then remove them from the equation as far as contributing to the cost of production?’”

Trivia Answer

Wisconsin Cheese is found in 98% of retail grocery stores across the U.S.? Shoppers find Wisconsin Cheese in the traditional dairy department and specialty cheeses in the deli section.