WVEPAH’s Short Advanced Course in Swine Health – Disease Eradication and Elimination in Swine Farms
The World Veterinary Education in Production Animal Health (WVEPAH) successfully held its Short-Advanced Course: Disease Eradication and Elimination in Swine Farms at the Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, in Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada, from April 13-15th, 2026.
This intensive 3-day on-site program brought together veterinarians and swine industry professionals for a total of 26 hours of advanced training focused on practical strategies to eliminate and eradicate major swine diseases while improving herd productivity, biosecurity, and long-term sustainability.
World-Class Course Masters
The program was led by internationally respected swine health specialists with decades of field, academic, and consulting experience:
Dr. Paul Yeske – Award-winning swine veterinary consultant at Swine Vet Center (USA), recognized with the Howard Dunne Award and Science in Practice honors.
Dr. Clayton Johnson – Globally recognized swine health consultant with Carthage Veterinary Services (USA), internationally known for PRRS and PED bio-economic disease models and recipient of the Allen D. Leman Science in Practice Award.
Dr. Luc Dufresne – Swine veterinarian and consultant with over 35 years of experience in North American pork production, former senior executive with major international swine companies, recipient of the Swine Veterinarian of the Year and the Allen D. Leman Science in Practice Awards.
Dr. Robert Desrosiers – Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in Swine Health and Management, with more than four decades of experience exclusively dedicated to swine medicine. Delivered the prestigious Howard Dunne Memorial Lecture at the American Association of Swine Veterinarians Annual Meeting in 2004 and was the inaugural recipient of the Technical Services & Allied Industry Veterinarian of the Year Award in 2008.
Training Program
The course combined scientific expertise with highly practical field applications. Key topics included:
History of swine disease eradication and elimination
Swine disease epidemiology
Disease elimination techniques and principles
PRRS and Mycoplasma: the major priorities
Enteric disease elimination (viral and bacterial)
Biosecurity principles in disease elimination
Hygiene programs during elimination or depopulation/repopulation
Diagnostic and testing strategies throughout an elimination program
Economic feasibility and return on investment
Common pitfalls in elimination programs and how to prevent failure
Maintaining motivation and team alignment during long programs
Other diseases with elimination potential, including SVV and ASF
Case presentations and real-world examples
Practical Learning for Immediate Application
This program emphasized real-life decision making, strategic planning, and tools participants can apply directly in breeding herds and commercial swine operations.
Through interactive discussions and expert guidance, attendees strengthened their ability to evaluate disease risks, build elimination roadmaps, and improve herd health performance.
Supporting a Stronger Global Swine Industry
This course reflects WVEPAH’s continued commitment to delivering world-class continuing education for veterinarians and animal health professionals.
WVEPAH extends its sincere thanks to the lecturers, participants, and Université de Montréal team for their collaboration in making this course a success. Together, we contribute to a healthier, more productive, and more sustainable swine industry worldwide.
