The US federal government has approved the sale of the first potential vaccines against a deadly virus that has caused the death of some 7 million piglets in the United States.

A Wall Street Journal report said pharmaceutical firms Harrisvaccines and Zoetis had received federal approval to manufacture the vaccines, which hopefully would curb the spread of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDv).

The PEDv, which destroys the lining of the pigs' gut, causing severe diarrhea and dehydration, as well as vomiting, has hit hardest Minnesota and other Midwest states. So far, according to an industry leader in Jamaica, at least 30 states have been affected by the deadly virus, which only afflicts piglets.

It has also reportedly spread to neighbouring countries Canada, Mexico and Dominican Republic.

Already, the high mortality rate of PEDv has caused the prices of pork to increase by 12% in the US.

Chris Levy, president and CEO of the Jamaica Broilers Group, raised the alarm on PEDv at the recent 12th annual general meeting of the Jamaica Pig Farmers Association, saying they had to recognize the vulnerability of small nations like Jamaica to the virus and the impact it "can have on us." 

Giant pork producer Cargill is testing the drug produced by Harrisvaccines and developed by a former University of Iowa professor, and a spokesman for the company said the drug "has helped." He did not elaborate.