Serological and Epizootic Dynamics of Swine Influenza a in Industrial Swine Farms of Ukraine (2021–2024)
Anatolii Kovalenko, Jana Mojžišová Vaščinec, Vasil Koziy, Nataliia Kozii, Boris Vojtek, Anna Ondrejková, Silvia Kapľavka, Ľuboš Korytár, Marián Prokeš, Monika DrážovskáAbstract
Swine Influenza A virus (SIV-A) is a significant zoonotic pathogen with the potential to cause pandemics. In Ukraine, surveillance is crucial due to the risk of interspecies transmission between pigs and humans. SIV-A circulates within swine populations and undergoes frequent genetic changes, increasing its variability and pathogenicity. In this study, we monitored the presence of SIV-A on 92 pig farms in the Lviv and Kyiv regions during the period 2021–2024. Serological testing was performed using the IDEXX Influenza A Virus Ab Test Kit, revealing 24 seropositive farms, with a decreasing trend observed over the years. Additionally, 422 pigs from seropositive farms were tested for SIV-A using real-time RT-PCR, and the virus was detected in 59 individuals. These results suggest that while epizootic control measures were largely effective, the virus continues to circulate among susceptible animals. Continuous surveillance and timely intervention remain essential for detecting emerging subtypes and preventing potential outbreaks.