THE number of SA piggeries impacted by Japanese encephalitis has risen to seven and many operators are on high alert as the locations of exposure sites suddenly changes direction.
With infected sites across Australia climbing to 63, there is an expectation that further SA piggeries could be impacted despite not being in close proximity to the river or shorebird populations.
Punthari piggery owner Matthew Starick initially believed he was relatively "safe" from the mosquito-borne virus, as he is located 25 kilometres from the riverside town of Mannum.
"I was pretty concerned when it first reared its head but that worry has increased lately as it is spreading to areas away from the river - which is where is was first thought to be most common," he said.
He runs 220 sows and as the potentially endemic virus continues to spread across the state, the threat to his herd is increasing.
"Knowing that SA's last two infection sites have not been near the river means we are just as susceptible to the virus as anyone else.
"Initially I thought we had enough of a buffer but now I am not that certain - we are closer to the river than other sites now."
Basically, the Staricks are on mosquito watch but until the virus is found within the herd, there is not a lot they can do.
"If we begin to see mosquitoes than I will get worried - I keep the area near the sows well maintained, no standing water and a close eye on the herd too," Mr Starick said.
"But, there is not much else we can do.
"If it pops up, obviously we have the protocols to follow and we will be in consultation with PIRSA about what the next move will be."
Beyond getting staff vaccinated against the virus, Mr Starick has also begun discussions about how to recover piglet losses and maintain production in the occasion of an outbreak.
"Up to five months of production could be affected if it was to get into the sow herd and surveillance is our best ally," he said.
Pork SA chair Andrew Johnson said it was unfortunate that the pig industry had become a "side casualty" of JEV but the sector was offering support and guidance for producers.
"Rest assured it is happening. Through the help of PIRSA and SA Health there is adequate support for those affected."
Mr Johnson said at this stage, it was too difficult to look ahead and predict how the virus would "behave" and how affected the pork industry would be long term.
"It is an unfortunate set of circumstances. The affect on SA piggeries has been varied but all would be dealing with some type of loss.
As the JEV vaccine rollout edges closer for those who are most exposed to the virus, Mr Johnson was confident the impact on the sector could be reduced in the near future.
As the virus continues to spread, Australian Pork Limited Margo Andrae chief executive officer was undoubtedly concerned about its threat on pork production.
But, she anticipated that minimal disruption to the national herd was likely.
"We have the highest quality veterinarians and surveillance of the virus so it is being detected very quickly," Ms Andrae said.
Ms Andrea was unsure as to whether or not the virus was spreading "quicker" than predicted but owed the fast detection, management and perhaps slow spread of the virus, to producers working with industry effectively.
Small producers are probably at a greater risk of impacted production according to Ms Andrae.
"In terms of piglet production, it is not a tap we can just turn on and off," she said.
"We are very conscious of the impact in producers and the next steps that need to be taken if it continues to spread."
Ms Andrae urged all producers, regardless of herd size, to continue engaging with APL and state industry bodies for guidance.
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