Porcine epidemic diarrhea | Official tells producers to come forward if they find the disease on their farm
CALGARY — Porcine epidemic diarrhea has not been found in Canada, but all sectors of the pork industry are on high alert as the fatal disease spreads in the United States.
Producers attending Alberta Pork’s annual meeting saw U.S. photos of emaciated and dead piglets, which have been ravaged by PED since the disease reached Iowa in May.
Dr. Lucie Verdon of the Canadian Swine Health Board encouraged producers to maintain strict biosecurity measures because their pigs have no immunity to the virulent virus and there is no treatment.
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PED is not a reportable disease, meaning federal authorities do not have to be notified, but she encouraged producers to watch for symptoms and consult a veterinarian immediately if they suspect infection.
“Please don’t do the three S,” said Verdon, referring to the “shoot, shovel and shut up” approach that some producers use when dealing with livestock illnesses.
“Please don’t just hide it because you’re going to put the whole country in trouble.”
Early containment will be key to minimizing damage and controlling spread should PED enter Canada.
It is now in 19 U.S. states, having started in Iowa, spread throughout the Midwest and then eastward. Verdon said American data indicates average losses of 1,688 pigs per 1,000 sows.
It is characterized by acute diarrhea and vomiting in pigs of all ages and is almost always fatal to nursing pigs.
However, it seems to start in finisher barns and then track back to nursery barns and sows, Verdon said.
PED presents no threat to other animals or humans, and meat from infected pigs is safe to eat.
The virus is commonly transmitted through feces: even a small amount can carry it. It will be vital to follow biosecurity protocols and ensure transport trucks from the U.S. are thoroughly cleaned.
Verdon said U.S. studies indicate even uncontaminated trucks have an 11 percent chance of becoming contaminated during unloading at facilities with PED.
Despite easy spread, Verdon said in a later interview that it is possible to keep PED out of the country.
“If we say we’re not going to do anything, the battle is over, so I think we have to battle it,” she said.
“But everybody is surprised how come we don’t have it.”
Dr. Julia Keenliside, a veterinary epidemiologist with Alberta Agriculture, said the province has developed a response plan that involves all links in the chain from producer through packer.
“It’s very different from H1N1. This time we’re prepared ahead of time,” said Keenliside.
She said all producers will be told if PED is found, although the specific farm will not be publicized. Processors will also be alerted, and the affected producer will still be allowed to ship animals.
Keenliside said PED had infected seven states in the U.S. before producers knew they had it, which increased the speed and breadth of spread.
Early symptoms are similar to transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGE), but “PED is like TGE on steroids,” Verdon said.
Bruce Ginn, an analyst with BMI Ag Services, said American hog inventories have been affected by PED and are lower than U.S. Department of Agriculture projections. That could delay producers’ return to profitability.
Ted Bilyea, a livestock and food industry consultant, said Canada could have a trade advantage over the U.S. if it avoids infection by capitalizing on its reputation for clean, healthy pigs and pork.
“Canada has always had the highest health herds in the world,” he said.
Other countries cannot match it because of its access to space, clean water and attention to biosecurity.
- Porcine epidemic diarrhea is caused by a highly virulent coronavirus.
- It has been widespread in Europe and Asia and active in China since 2010.
- It was detected in Iowa in May 2013.
- It has spread to 19 states.
- It may have come to the United States through feed, but investigation continues.
- It is generally fatal to nursing piglets and kills through severe diarrhea and vomiting.
- Sow symptoms include fever and lethargy.
- Growing pigs exhibit widespread diarrhea, but mortality is low.
- It is transmitted primarily through feces.
- It does not affect other livestock or people.
- It is not a reportable disease, according to the World Organization for Animal Health.
- It has not been found in Canada.
- There is no effective vaccine.
- The virus can survive cold weather.
- More information is available at www.swinehealth.ca.