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Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) emerged in the United States (U.S.) swine population in 2013, initiating an initial significant epidemic followed by a state of endemicity in the U.S. Despite continued monitoring, the epidemiology of PEDV during its endemic phase remains inadequately researched. Our study aimed to characterize the spatial–temporal distribution of postepidemic PEDV cases in the U.S. breeding herd and identify associated risk factors. Data from 1089 breeding farms in 27 states, reported to the Morrison Swine Health Monitoring Project from July 2014 to June 2021, were analyzed. We stratified the data into six U.S. regions and employed SaTScan for spatiotemporal permutation and cluster analysis. Survival analysis was used to assess risk factors. A notable seasonal clustering of PEDV cases was observed in winter (January–March; p = 0.001, relative risk = 2.2) with regional variation. Ten high‐rate spatial–temporal clusters (p < 0.05) were identified ranging from 2.5 to 833.7 km2 and lasting 1–5 months, occurring in four regions between 2015 and 2021. For the study period, a total of 625 cases of PEDV were recorded on 372 farms. The total number of PEDV cases decreased from 95 breeding farms in 32 counties (2014–2015) to 53 farms in 28 counties (2020–2021), indicating an overall reduction in occurrence and spatial extent. Feed mitigants demonstrated a protective effect, significantly reducing the risk of PEDV occurrence (hazard ratio = 0.3, p = 0.003), while air filtration systems exhibited marginal benefits (hazard ratio = 0.3, p = 0.06). Other important risk factors included county farm density with farms in high‐density regions (>31 farms/100 km2) being 1.3 times more likely to experience outbreaks than in medium‐density regions (13–31 farms/1000 km2; p < 0.001). Additionally, farms in region E had higher odds of outbreaks compared to region B. The overall decline in PEDV cases and reduced spatial extent reflect industry efforts in postepidemic control and elimination. The protective effects of feed mitigants warrant further investigation. Our findings underscore the opportunity for coordinated efforts to eliminate PEDV in the U.S. and emphasize the need for comprehensive risk profiling associated with industry practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Swine production in the United States is characterized by dynamic farm contacts through animal movements; such movements shape the risk of disease occurrence on farms. Pig movements have been linked to the spread of a virulent porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), RFLP type 1‐7‐4, herein denoted as phylogenetic sub‐lineage 1A [L1A]. This study aimed to quantify the contribution of pig movements to the risk of L1A occurrence on farms in the United States. Farms were defined as L1A‐positive in a given 6‐month period if at least one L1A sequence was recovered from the farm. Temporal network autocorrelation modelling was performed using data on animal movements and 1,761 PRRSV ORF5 sequences linked to 494 farms from a dense pig production area in the United States between 2014 and 2017. A farm's current and past exposure to L1A and other PRRSV variants was assessed through its primary and secondary contacts in the animal movement network. Primary and secondary contacts with an L1A‐positive farm increased the likelihood of L1A occurrence on a farm by 19% (p =.04) and 23% (p =.03), respectively. While the risk posed by primary contacts with PRRS‐positive farms is unsurprising, the observation that secondary contacts also increase the likelihood of infection is novel. Risk of L1A occurrence on a farm also increased by 3.0% (p =.01) for every additional outgoing shipment, possibly due to biosecurity breaches during loading and transporting pigs from the farm. Finally, use of vaccines or field virus inoculation on sow farms one year prior reduced the risk of L1A occurrence in downstream farms by 36% (p =.04), suggesting that control measures that reduce viral circulation and enhance immunological protection in sow farms have a carry‐over effect on L1A occurrence in downstream farms. Therefore, coordinated disease management interventions between farms connected via animal movements may be more effective than individual farm‐based interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Egyptian domestic (Baladi) dog has been increasingly adopted as a companion animal. Breed-specific cardiovascular reference intervals (RIs) are useful for clinicians in identifying abnormalities. The study aimed to estimate RIs for different heart indices in healthy male Baladi dogs. Twenty-six dogs were recruited to the study. Dogs were approved to be healthy. Afterwards, they were consciously examined by electrocardiography, echocardiography, and radiography. RIs were estimated using a bias-corrected bootstrapping approach. Electrocardiographic RIs were heart rate: 103 – 132 (beats/minute); P: 0.02 - 0.04, T: 0.03 - 0.04 waves durations (seconds); P: 0.13 - 0.23, R: 1.19 - 1.51, T: 0.20 - 0.27 waves amplitudes (mV); and PR: 0.11 - 0.17, QRS: 0.06 - 0.08, QT: 0.41 - 0.44 intervals (seconds). Echocardiographic parameters included end (diastolic: 29.95 - 46.49, systolic: 5.54 - 10.32) volumes (ml); ejection fraction: 76.23 - 83.41 (%); stroke volume 25.13 - 37.41 (ml); fractional shortening: 0.43 - 0.51 (%); interventricular septal thickness (diastole: 7.61 - 8.55; systole: 12.19 - 14.12 mm); left atrial to aortic root ratio (0.98 - 1.06); left ventricular diameter (diastole: 27.86 - 33.34, systole:14.42 - 18.14 mm) and left ventricular posterior wall thickness (diastole: 9.71 - 13.5; systole: 14.73 - 18.33 mm). Right lateral radiographs heart axes (long: 5.31 - 5.67, short 3.67 - 4.03 vertebrae) and VHS: 9.04 - 9.64 (vertebrae). No significant associations were identified between the measurements and body weight, age, and heart rate. In conclusions our results emphasized the importance of establishing Baladi‐specific RIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]