The deadly porcine epidemic diarrhea virus has been found in Alberta, but in an office, not a pig barn.
The location of the positive test has not been disclosed, and no pigs are sick.
An Oct. 29 news release from Alberta Pork said traces of the virus were found in the office of a pig handling facility. Other samples taken at the same site, including the loading dock and weigh scales, tested negative for the virus.
Alberta Agriculture and Alberta Pork officials are investigating in efforts to find the source of the positive sample and contain any spread.
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“Together, we have been preparing for the possibility of PED for months,” Alberta Pork said in a release.
“A plan is in place to reduce the risk of the spread of the disease, investigate and manage the situation.”
PED is highly contagious, spreading primarily through feces but also on other surfaces. It is almost always fatal to young piglets and has caused millions of piglet deaths in the United States since it was identified in May 2013.
The virus was first found in Canada in January and so far 69 premises, most of them in Ontario, have been infected. Pigs with PED die from dehydration and malnutrition due to vomiting and diarrhea.
This positive test for PED is similar to one for swine delta corona virus, a virus similar to PED that was found in a high traffic Alberta pig facility in mid-October.
Once again, the location was not disclosed, but no pigs were reported to be ill.
“This serves as a reminder that producers should treat all high pig traffic sites and vehicles as potentially contaminated with the PED virus,” said Alberta Pork.
“Producers must work closely with their livestock hauler to ensure all trucks are cleaned, disinfected and dried every time before entering a farm.
“Other biosecurity measures, such as cleaning and disinfecting load-out areas and requiring clean boots and clothing for all barn visitors, should also be strictly enforced.”
