Thermal image of a pig showing temperature variations.

Pig Health Undercover: Thermal Imaging Exposes Early Disease Signs

Soraya Malik in Tech & Innovation August 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research reveals how thermal imaging can quickly detect Salmonella and E. coli infections in pigs, offering a non-invasive way to improve animal welfare and reduce economic losses."

Infections from pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli pose significant challenges in pig production, impacting animal welfare and leading to economic losses. Early detection is crucial to prevent disease outbreaks and reduce the need for costly interventions.

Traditional methods of detecting illness in pigs are often ineffective and can be stressful for the animals. However, innovative technologies offer promising solutions. Thermal imaging, which measures body surface temperature, has emerged as a potential tool for the early detection of disease signs in pigs.

This article explores the findings of a study that investigated the use of thermal imaging to detect Salmonella typhimurium and E. coli infections in pigs. By monitoring body temperature patterns, researchers aimed to identify early indicators of disease and assess the effectiveness of thermal imaging as a diagnostic tool.

How Thermal Imaging Spots Trouble: The Science Behind the Scan

Thermal image of a pig showing temperature variations.

The study involved 27 piglets randomly assigned to three groups: a control group, a group infected with Salmonella typhimurium, and a group infected with E. coli. Researchers tracked the piglets' body temperatures using thermal imaging at regular intervals over 14 days post-inoculation. They also monitored growth performance indicators such as average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain:feed ratio.

The results revealed distinct differences in body temperature patterns between the infected groups. Piglets infected with Salmonella showed elevated body temperatures starting at 24 hours post-inoculation, peaking at 72 hours. In contrast, piglets infected with E. coli exhibited subnormal body temperatures throughout the experimental period. The researchers also observed a reduced ADG in all groups during the first week post-inoculation, along with a decreased gain:feed ratio in the Salmonella and E. coli groups compared to the control group.

Key findings from the study include:

Thermal imaging effectively detected early signs of disease in pigs.
Salmonella infection led to elevated body temperatures.
E. coli infection resulted in subnormal body temperatures.
Growth performance was negatively impacted by both infections.

These findings highlight the potential of thermal imaging as a rapid and non-invasive tool for detecting bacterial infections in pigs. By identifying subtle temperature changes, farmers and veterinarians can intervene early, improving animal welfare and minimizing economic losses.

The Future of Pig Farming: Smart Tech for Healthier Herds

Thermal imaging offers a valuable tool for modern pig farming, enabling continuous and non-invasive monitoring of animal health. This technology can help farmers detect disease early, reduce the spread of infection, and improve overall animal welfare.

By integrating thermal imaging into routine farm management practices, farmers can minimize the need for antibiotics, reduce economic losses, and ensure a more sustainable and ethical approach to pig production.

Further research and development in thermal imaging technology could lead to even more advanced applications in animal health monitoring, paving the way for precision livestock farming and improved food safety.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.5897/ajmr2015.7580, Alternate LINK

Title: Use Of Thermal Imaging For The Early Detection Of Signs Of Disease In Pigs Challenged Orally With Salmonella Typhimurium And Escherichia Coli

Subject: Infectious Diseases

Journal: African Journal of Microbiology Research

Publisher: Academic Journals

Authors: Manirul Islam Md, Tabasum Ahmed Sonia, Mun Hong Seok, B M Rubayet Bostami A, Kim Yae Jin, Yang Chul Ju

Published: 2015-07-01

Everything You Need To Know

How does thermal imaging help in detecting diseases in pigs?

Thermal imaging detects early disease signs in pigs by measuring body surface temperature. When pigs are infected with pathogens such as Salmonella typhimurium, their body temperature patterns change. For example, pigs infected with Salmonella show elevated body temperatures, while those infected with E. coli exhibit subnormal body temperatures. These temperature changes can be identified using thermal imaging, allowing for early detection of infection.

What specific temperature changes were observed in pigs infected with Salmonella and E. coli during the study?

The study revealed that piglets infected with Salmonella typhimurium showed elevated body temperatures starting at 24 hours post-inoculation, peaking at 72 hours. In contrast, piglets infected with E. coli exhibited subnormal body temperatures throughout the experimental period. These distinct temperature patterns indicate that thermal imaging can differentiate between different types of infections in pigs.

Does Salmonella or E. coli infection affect the growth and feed efficiency of pigs?

Yes, the study indicated that both Salmonella typhimurium and E. coli infections negatively impacted growth performance in pigs. Specifically, researchers observed a reduced average daily gain (ADG) in all infected groups during the first week post-inoculation. Additionally, the gain:feed ratio was decreased in the Salmonella and E. coli groups compared to the control group. This shows that infections can lead to reduced growth and feed efficiency.

What are the benefits of using thermal imaging compared to traditional methods of disease detection in pig farming?

Thermal imaging offers a non-invasive and rapid way to monitor pig health. Traditional methods can be stressful for the animals and may not detect early signs of disease. Thermal imaging allows for continuous monitoring of body temperature, enabling early detection of infections like Salmonella typhimurium and E. coli. This early detection can lead to faster intervention, reducing the spread of infection and minimizing economic losses, while improving animal welfare.

Can thermal imaging be used to detect diseases other than Salmonella and E. coli in pigs?

While the research focused on Salmonella typhimurium and E. coli infections, thermal imaging could potentially be used to detect other diseases that cause changes in body temperature. Further research would be needed to determine the effectiveness of thermal imaging in detecting other specific infections or health conditions in pigs. It’s important to note that thermal imaging should be part of a comprehensive health management plan, including regular veterinary check-ups and other diagnostic tools.