Celebrating a Decade of Excellence: How the Swine Health Information Center is Safeguarding U.S. Herd Health – Insights & Updates from Swineweb.com

Dr. Megan Niederwerder Discusses SHIC’s Mission
Swine Web News | July 2025

This July marks the 10th anniversary of the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC). The organization is dedicated to tackling disease threats and safeguarding the health of the U.S. swine population.

Established by the National Pork Board in 2015, SHIC has been vital in enhancing herd health through disease surveillance, preparedness, risk management, and targeted research.

SHIC’s Five Key Focus Areas

Dr. Megan Niederwerder, the Executive Director, outlines five main priorities driving SHIC’s efforts over the decade:

1. Enhancing Swine Health Information
   SHIC provides timely updates on domestic and global health risks to veterinarians and producers, keeping the industry informed.
2. Risk Monitoring and Mitigation
   They actively pinpoint potential threats to swine health, aiming to reduce their effects on pork production.
3. Emerging Disease Response
   SHIC assesses global disease trends and implements strategies to shield U.S. herds from new pathogens.
4. Surveillance and Discovery
   Through population-scale monitoring, SHIC identifies any new diseases affecting domestic swine quickly.
5. Disease Prioritization
   SHIC uses detailed matrices to focus research and funding on the most pressing health concerns for pork production.

“We continually seek ways to improve our response to emerging threats,” says Dr. Niederwerder. “Our mission focuses on providing immediate solutions for producers, veterinarians, and the pork industry.”

According to a recent survey by the National Pork Board, 75% of producers say they feel more equipped to manage health risks now than they did five years ago, reflecting the positive impact of SHIC’s initiatives.

For ongoing updates and resources, you can visit swinehealth.org.

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