As of Sept. 10, 74 Manitoba hog production facilities have been discovered positive for porcine epidemic diarrhea virus this year as a widespread outbreak that began in May continues to knock down new barns. | File photo

PED makes nasty comeback in Manitoba

Manitoba is grappling with a hog disease outbreak that’s so severe it’s even showing up in U.S. import statistics. As of Sept. 10, 74 Manitoba hog production facilities have been discovered positive for porcine epidemic diarrhea virus this year as a widespread outbreak that began in May continues to knock down new barns. Before May, […] Read more

The strain of porcine epidemic diarrhea affecting Alberta pigs is closely related to those in Manitoba and Ontario. The investigation into its spread to Alberta is ongoing, but no clear answers have emerged.  |  File photo

Alta. contains PED outbreak

There have been no new cases of porcine epidemic diarrhea in Alberta since the last of the four infected premises was reported in March, and Alberta Agriculture epidemiologist Dr. Julia Keenliside said she is confident increased surveillance tells that tale. “We don’t likely have any other farms out there that are infected with the disease,” […] Read more

The third and fourth cases of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus in Alberta were announced mere hours apart March 1. | File photo

More PED found on Alberta hog farms

Updated – March 4, 2019 – 1430 CST – Alberta Pork has updated their announcement made last week to note the third reported case of PED has been found to be a “false positive.” The third and fourth cases of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus in Alberta were announced by Alberta Pork mere hours apart March […] Read more


Alberta Pork reported the discovery Feb. 21. Location of the affected farm was not disclosed, so it is not known whether it is near the site of the first confirmed Alberta case in a central Alberta farrow-to-finish operation that had 400 animals. | File photo

Another PED case confirmed on an Alberta farm

Alberta confirmed its second case of porcine epidemic virus yesterday, this one in a 600-head farrow-to-finish hog operation. Alberta Pork reported the discovery Feb. 21. Location of the affected farm was not disclosed, so it is not known whether it is near the site of the first confirmed Alberta case in a central Alberta farrow-to-finish […] Read more

Alberta's first case of porcine epidemic diarrhea is so far confined to a single 400-sow farrow-to-finish operation in east-central Alberta. | File photo

Alta.’s PED find appears to be isolated case

Alberta’s first case of porcine epidemic diarrhea is so far confined to a single 400-sow farrow-to-finish operation in east-central Alberta. Alberta Pork said yesterday that no pigs have left the affected farm since the virus was confirmed and none will be moved until a veterinarian’s certificate is provided. Tests at high-traffic pig sites in the […] Read more


Sixty-seven of the 80 Manitoba farms affected by porcine epidemic diarrhea virus between April 28 and Oct. 24 of last year are “presumptive negative,” which means the virus is no longer present, with the possible exception of manure storage.  |  File photo

Hog producers match wits with PED

Manitoba hog producers, veterinarians and others in the industry are nearing the end of a battle against deadly porcine epidemic diarrhea virus that affected 80 operations between April 28 and Oct. 24 last year. Dr. Glen Duizer, chief veterinary officer for Manitoba, said May 8 that 67 of those operations are “presumptive negative,” which means […] Read more

Even if the disease can be eliminated, close contact with the United States, where the virus is endemic, means the industry will have to be vigilant.  |  File photo

Ontario hog industry confident PED can be beat

BANFF, Alta. — Ontario hog producers have suffered the most among all others in Canada from outbreaks of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus. The province has had 106 confirmed cases since 2014, the most recent one confirmed Jan. 2 in an Oxford County farrow-feeder operation. Most of those affected operations have eliminated the virus, and Dr. […] Read more

Manitoba hog producers are making steady progress toward eliminating porcine epidemic diarrhea virus from 80 infected premises.
 | File photo

Manitoba confident it can obliterate PED in province

Manitoba hog producers are making steady progress toward eliminating porcine epidemic diarrhea virus from 80 infected premises. Dr. Glen Duizer of the province’s chief veterinary office said 24 of those 80 are now presumed to have eliminated the virus and another 24 are in the transitional phase and should be deemed free of the virus […] Read more


Hog producers were told to change footwear and clothing between facilities and disinfect vehicles of which they are unsure.  |  Getty photo

War room security measures required to keep PED out

Hog farmers must act like they’re at war when PED arrives in their area. That was the advice of Manitoba Agriculture veterinary specialist Glen Duizer while hosting a meeting via conference call for worried Alberta hog farmers July 19. The sort of biosecurity measures that have been working during “peacetime” conditions should be replaced by […] Read more

The hog industry says it is doing whatever it can to increase biosecurity, but there is a sense that little more can be done to contain PED.  |  File photo

Causes of new PED spread in Manitoba remain a mystery

Hog producers, barn managers, employees and veterinarians in southeastern Manitoba have now been battling porcine epidemic diarrhea virus for more than two months. There were signs in early July that the epidemic was peaking, at around 50 confirmed cases, but a new case was discovered July 12. However, industry leaders remain hopeful that the epidemic […] Read more