Porcine epidemic diarrhea case found in Manitoba

PED is common in the U.S. and is expected to appear from time to time. | File photo

It’s no shock that an isolated case of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus appeared on a Manitoba farm at the beginning of May, says Manitoba Pork.

The disease is common in the U.S. and is expected to appear from time to time.

“We’re not really surprised,” said spokesperson Mark Fynn.

“We know we have the disease in the U.S. We know our assembly yards have some of the virus. We sort of expect to see one or two pop up a year.”

A southeastern Manitoba sow-to-wean barn broke with the disease in late April and the disease was confirmed May 2.

The provincial chief veterinary officer’s office and Manitoba Agriculture imposed the usual lockdown on access to and from the farm and have traced-out people who have been in contact with the farm and checked all nearby hog farms for infection.

As of May 5, no signs of PED had appeared anywhere off the farm.

“We rarely find a smoking gun,” Fynn said, so people should not expect to find a definitive source of the disease outbreak.

The last previous Manitoba case was reported in September.

Contact ed.white@producer.com

About the author

Ed White's recent articles

Vegetarian wave may be opportunity for meat sector November 8, 2018
Trade mission to China reflects new optimism November 8, 2018
Social media provides perfect showcase for farming November 8, 2018

Denise

Meanwhile, on the west side of the province 1500 pigs are burned to death in a factory hog barn fire. These are frequent occurrences in the hog business- major disease outbreaks and fires.
With more weakening of the regulations,to enable the hog industry to expand and doing everything on the cheap, get ready for more catastrophes.
Cover your eyes, hold your nose, and plug your ears. Hard to do all at once, isn’t it?
- Denise
  
  These 1500 hogs were burned to death in a factory barn fire in March of 2015.
  Tens of thousands of hogs have perished, before and since then, by burning to death, in factory-constructed barns since 2008. I counted close to 30,000 hogs burned to death,in Manitoba, in the information I could find from 2008 on… There are probably more than that, though.
  Every factory barn should be required to have a sprinkler system with that many animals under one roof. They definitely need sprinklers, especially, since nobody is on guard in the barns, 24hrs a day/7days a week.
  Do any of the barns have proper sprinkler systems? They are not regulated ,by the government, to require them.
  Therefore… more money saved on operation expenditures, but more devastating fires.
  On top of this, there are suffocation issues which arise from toxic air quality and poor / cheap ventilation systems, which break down periodically. Some hogs die as a result of this. Poor air quality affects the health of “the hogs” living INSIDE the barns, and “the residents of rural communities” trying to enjoy a quality of life, OUTSIDE the factory barn sites. Where are the proper ventilation systems? They are not required in the regulations.
  Therefore… more money saved on operation expenditures and more money goes into the pockets of the hog industry, but ,again, more dead diseased pigs and unhappy neighbours because of foul unhealthy air.
  The government wants to “cut the red tape” to enable the hog industry to grow. How about fixing the broken system, first? Proper regulations are the very first requirement.
  Quit whining about the costs and do it right. Show some respect for the animals, in your CARE, and the residents of Manitoba.
  - Happy Farmer
    
    Show some respect for farmers and quit complaining with your mouth full of food.
    
    Agriculture has been, is, and will for many more years be a major contributor to the overall economy of Canada. When the “smell” of farming disappears from Canada, we will be in a heap of trouble.
    - Denise
      
      When they start showing respect for their neighbours,with proper odour control and hog slurry management plus looking after the animals with concern for their safety, health and well being, I will give them respect.
      I respect farmers. These are not farmers. These are intensive livestock operators of ILOs. These are factories not farms.
      I don’t eat factory pork. Haven’t for decades.
      - John Fefchak
        
        Respect for the farmers.. You are so right Denise ! They are not farmers,…they hide under the skirts of farmers. It is an Industry that mass produce hogs in the cheapest way possible. The farming title was approved by the Filmon government back in the 1990’s for their benefit; its a subsidy. Industry would be regulated in a different category and would require much higher standards for the protection of our water, environment and health and odour regards of the people; especially those who live in the rural areas.
    - Harold
      
      Speaking of respect, how would you rephrase your comment if you were talking to another adult rather than to a kid.
      Respect is earned – not granted.
John Fefchak

The worst is yet to come and it will happen in Manitoba. No cure for this one.