PEDv confirmed at two more Manitoba pig farms

The latest case of PED virus struck a finishing barn and was confirmed September 21. The other report, at a sow barn, was confirmed on September 14.

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Andrea Gantz
Andrea Gantz

In September, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development confirmed two more cases of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus at pig farms in Manitoba, Canada.

The outbreak occurred at two locations in southeast Manitoba. The latest case struck a finishing barn and was confirmed September 21. This barn was located within five kilometers (3-mile) of another outbreak from earlier in the month. The other report, at a sow barn, was confirmed on September 14.

Control measures have been implemented at both locations, according to Manitoba Pork. Manitoba’s Office of the Chief Veterinarian (CVO) has activated Manitoba Agriculture’s Emergency Operation Centre. They developed a plan for restricting site access, cleaning the barns and tending to the animals. Other pig farms within a five-kilometer (3-mile) radius have been contacted and are collecting samples from their herds for testing.

These reports bring the total PED virus cases to 10 in Manitoba since the first confirmed report in February 2014. Six of those locations have been confirmed PED virus negative after testing.

Manitoba Pork provides a guide to PED virus on its website.  Although the disease is often fatal to newborn pigs, adults often recover. The disease does not pose a human food safety risk, since it doesn’t infect other species.

Fighting PED virus

Beginning in the spring of 2013, PED virus spread quickly throughout the U.S. swine industry and eventually into Canada. PED virus has been reported in more than 35 US states and is estimated to have an annual economic impact of up to $1.8 billion, reported WATTAgNet.

Scientists and industry partners are field testing a vaccine against porcine epidemic diarrhea virus in Saskatchewan, as well as in Manitoba where it is being used to help protect piglets from the ongoing PEDV outbreak. The vaccine was developed at the University of Saskatchewan Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre.

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