Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea

What you need to know about Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV). Additional, periodic updates will be sent as new and relevant information is available.

PEDV was confirmed for the first time in U.S. swine herds in mid-May 2013. While PEDV is not a new swine disease globally, it is new to the United States (see most recent states/cases by going to this webpage http://www.aasv.org/pedv/PEDv_weekly_report_140319.pdf.

Key Points about PEDV

● It is widespread in many countries.

● It is not a trade-restricting disease.

● It may appear clinically to be the same as transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) virus with acute diarrhea.

● Producers who suspect that their herd may be infected should work with their herd

veterinarian immediately.

● As always, strict biosecurity protocols should be maintained.

● Additional key facts from the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, can be found at http://www.aasv.org/aasv%20website/Resources/Diseases/PED/PED--AASVQF052313.pdf

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How to Protect Your Farm from PEDV

● Current research says the virus is spread by the fecal-oral route. The most common sources

of infected feces coming onto a farm are pigs, trucks, boots, clothing, or other things that can

physically move it.

● Field reports suggest in some instances virus is being spread by ineffective washing and

disinfecting of trucks used to transport pigs to/from farms or markets. Pay particular attention

to biosecurity during transportation.

● Resources pertaining to biosecurity and livestock production can be found online on pork.

org in the Transport Quality Assurance Handbook, and at the National Biosecurity Resource

Center. Transporters can find guidance on boot disinfection, actively search for disinfectants

by manufacturer, disinfectant class or by disease, or locate truck washes by state. Additional

information on biosecurity can be found online at Iowa State University's Center for Food

Security and Public Health.

● Be especially diligent about the cleanliness of feed, service and other personnel and visitors

who enter your farm. Restrict access unless necessary.

● Additional biosecurity recommendations should include:

·        Restricting traffic (people and equipment) onto the farm

·        Thoroughly clean and disinfect anything coming onto the farm

·        Maintain strict biosecurity practices at all times, including proper disinfection. (Products such as: Tek-Trol, 1Stroke Environ, Virkon S, Chlorox and Synergize1 may work well.)*

·        Maintaining a log of visitors

·        Taking care when disposing of dead stock, particularly if using a communal disposal method

·        Isolating newly arriving animals and continuing vet-to-vet discussions about animal health at the herd of origin

·        Showering into the facility where practical and changing into clean boots and coveralls

 

What to do if You Suspect PEDV is in Your Herd

● Clinical signs range from watery diarrhea and vomiting in nursing pigs and farrowing houses

to transient diarrhea and off feed in finishing. Most pigs in any phase of production will

become sick and death loss in nursing pigs could approach 100 percent.

● If you see diarrhea in any phase of production, contact your veterinarian immediately to get

laboratory confirmation.

● Your veterinarian will take samples from the herd to submit for diagnosis. PED can look much

like Transmissible Gastroenteritis (TGE) with laboratory confirmation being the only way to

differentiate the two.

● To better help understand how the virus moves between herds, it is

important to provide your National Premises Identification Number on the

diagnostic lab submission form with the note that you agree that the lab

results can be used in a confidential and secure manner for further disease

analysis. The laboratory will not do so unless you tell them that they have

your permission. It will be extremely helpful to understanding this disease

if you will give them that permission. All information will be handled in a

strictly confidential and secure manner.

● Follow your veterinarian's advice on how to care for any sick or infected animals.

● Provide a clean, dry, draft-free environment.

● Provide access to high-quality drinking water. Supplementing the water with electrolytes may

be beneficial.