Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) didn’t just spontaneously evolve in Midwest swine herds. It was introduced into the U.S. from somewhere. So, where did it come from? That is the question to which everyone is seeking an answer. AASV, in collaboration with Pork Board, NPPC and USDA, has developed a survey to examine the epidemiology of the recent introduction of PEDV. The objective of the survey is to determine how the virus entered the U.S. swine herd. The survey will be distributed this week to members having experience with PED positive herds.
What we know is that it appeared in multiple, widely distributed sow herds within days. That would imply a common point-source origin utilized with some frequency across the industry. PEDV is currently most active in Asia, and the virus identified in the US is 99.4% homologous to a virus strain isolated in China in 2012. So far, most of the laboratory diagnostic testing has been conducted at the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Lab and the Veterinary Diagnostic Lab at the University of Minnesota. To date the UMN lab is reporting 167 samples received for PED testing representing 56 cases. Of those, 47 samples representing 13 cases have tested positive. PED positive herds have been identified in Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Oklahoma. Since April 28, ISU-VDL has diagnosed 36 positive cases.
So what can you do to decrease the chance of your clients’ herds becoming infected? First and foremost, review and tighten their biosecurity protocols. Pay particular attention to anything or anyone sourced internationally. Be especially diligent about personnel and visitors but also consider supplies, feed ingredients, food items, etc. that might be of international origin. If you are unsure about the origin of a particular product, or the components of a product, contact the supplier and request information on the origin of their ingredients or components.
Additional biosecurity recommendations should include:
- limiting traffic (people and equipment) onto the farm,
- thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting anything coming onto the farm,
- enforcing downtime requirements and maintaining a log of visitors,
- taking care when disposing of dead stock particularly if using a communal disposal method,
- isolating newly arriving animals and continuing vet to vet discussions about animal health at the herd of origin, and
- showering into the facility where practical and changing into clean boots and coveralls (veterinarians should also be careful not to track the virus between herds on their person, equipment or vehicles).
If you suspect PEDV, contact the veterinary diagnostic lab to determine what samples they want you to submit and how they should be submitted. Contact information for the veterinary diagnostic labs can be found on the AASV website (http://www.aasv.org/aasv%20website/Resources/Diseases/PorcineEpidemicDiarrhea.php).
We are continually updating the information on the AASV website and will provide additional information as it becomes available.