USGS · 70273395
Groundwater surveillance of swine pathogens from private wells supplying swine farms in Iowa
Abstract
Biosecurity practices are essential for maintaining pig health and productivity. Despite these measures, pathogen spread still occurs. Water is one of the largest daily inputs on swine farms by volume and is not routinely tested or disinfected before it is consumed by the animals [1-3], making it a poorly understood biosecurity risk. Groundwater from privately-owned wells is a common water source for swine farms. Pathogens in the landscape, such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa, can reach groundwater more rapidly through soil macropores, maintaining viability and facilitating transmission of pathogens into aquifers [3-13].
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Gabrielle Doughan, Becca Walthart, Michele Moncrief, Elise Snezek, Kristin Skoland, Aaron D. Firnstahl, Phillip Gauger, Justin Brown, J. L. Bonnema, Mark A. Borchardt, Joe Heffron, Joel P. Stokdyk, Tucker R. Burch, Locke Karriker. 2025. Groundwater surveillance of swine pathogens from private wells supplying swine farms in Iowa. https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/70273395
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