December 4, 2013

Nebraska remains among its neighbouring states with no reported cases of the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhoea (PED) virus, making it necessary for its hog farmers to be ever vigilant.

"The Nebraska Pork Producers Board of Directors is choosing a proactive approach," said Shane Meyer, president of the association. "Nebraska has been extremely fortunate not to have any reported cases of the PED Virus and we would like to keep it that way. Learning as much as we can about the virus, practicing strict biosecurity and managing proper farm protocols is a great start to keeping our animals safe and healthy".

Experts from the National Pork Board, Iowa State University and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture have been assembled to convey the latest available information on the disease along with protocols that have been put in place to prevent the spread of the disease.

PED virus was confirmed in the US during the week of May 13. It is a Ribonucleic acid (RNA) coronavirus, which is related to transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEv). However, there is no cross protection afforded by immunity developed to one against the other. PED virus was first diagnosed in 1971 in Great Britain, since that time there has been sporadic outbreaks in Europe and has become an endemic pig disease in Asia since 1982.