Concerns about H5N1’s potential impact on America’s hog herds have been building for some time, especially since the virus crossed the species barrier in 2024, infecting dairy cattle and a handful of humans. While it hasn’t proven as deadly to mammals as it has to birds, each new species jump brings unique challenges. Animal health experts say the goal now is to get ahead of the curve, understanding how the virus might behave in pigs before it has a chance to take hold.
Dr. Anna Forseth, Director of Swine Health at the National Pork Producers Council, says that while influenza is a familiar challenge for the swine industry, H5N1 is a different story. She says researchers have been carefully studying the virus and have found that pigs are just as susceptible to infection as other mammalian species. That’s an unsettling reality, especially in a state like Iowa, which leads the nation in pork production and has also seen some of the highest numbers of H5N1 detections in recent years.
Dr. Forseth notes that both state and federal agencies have had limited focus on the potential for H5N1 in swine. Most resources are directed at responding to known outbreaks, not proactively searching for the virus in species where it hasn’t yet emerged. That’s why NPPC, alongside other industry partners, is working to develop a response framework in the event the virus does appear in hogs—an effort to stay one step ahead of a threat that could quickly escalate.
While the plans are not finalized by any means, Dr. Forseth gives us a summary of what their ultimate goal would be if the worst were to happen.
This remains an evolving situation, and the swine industry continues to monitor it closely. To stay informed about the latest developments, visit the NPPC Website.
