Two more cases of porcine epidemic diarrhea have been confirmed in Ontario, says a government official.
A suspected case at Chatham was confirmed positive today as well as another new case in Norfolk County, said Mark Cripps of Ontario Agriculture.
There are now four cases of the deadly pig virus in the southwestern region of the province:
• One in Middlesex County (500 sow, farrow-to-finish)
• Two in Chatham-Kent (a 3,000 animal wean-to-finish operation and an 1,800 animal wean-to-finish operation)
• One in Norfolk County (500 sow, farrow-to-finish)
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Today, the Ontario and federal governments made $2 million available to improve biosecurity measures at critical points across the province, such as assembly yards and truck washing stations.
As of Feb. 3 producers will have access to a special PED biosecurity program under the federal Growing Forward 2 initiative to help producers, abattoirs, truckers, assembly facilities and renderers in the pork industry invest in additional ways to limit the spread of the virus. More employee training may also be included.
Alberta Pork has reserved $500,000 to protect its producers and industry partners against PED.
The money does not cover compensation for pig losses but will help producers with preventive measures such as testing, veterinary services and enhanced biosecurity protocols on the farm, said an Alberta Pork news release.
Alberta Pork is holding farmer meetings on PED prevention across the province as well as five telephone town hall sessions hosted by a panel of experts on the disease. It is also providing regular updates to producers on its website at www.albertapork.com.
Further information is also available at: 877-247-7675 or by email at darcy.fitzgerald@albertapork.com.
The next producer meetings are all from 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. at the following locations:
Jan. 30: Grande Prairie, Sandman Hotel
Feb. 18: Fort Saskatchewan, Lakeview Hotel
Feb. 19: Lethbridge, Coast Hotel
Feb. 20: Red Deer Holiday Inn
March 18: Lethbridge, Coast Hotel
March 19: Red Deer, Holiday Inn
March 20: Grande Prairie, Sandman Hotel
