September 26, 2014

 

Swine virus a growing concern in Canada
 

 

Sixty two farms in Ontario, Canada, are infected with the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv). Canadian health authorities say PEDv continues to be a problem in the country as it is in the in the United States.


Four confirmed cases of PEDv have also been recorded so far this year. Three of these cases happened in Manitoba; the other in Prince Edward Island. One case in Manitoba involves a hog finishing farm which tested positive for the virus a second time.


 "Although it is disheartening to see another case arise, we should use this as a lesson learned and elevate our biosecurity practices, especially with cold, wet weather looming," Manitoba Pork said in a statement. "As we know, the risk of the virus spreading increases exponentially in colder seasons."


Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (MAFRD) said new pigs were moved onto the site and tested positive for PEDv.


"The farm has gone through the necessary steps to move exposed pigs off site and to thoroughly clean and disinfect the operation," Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (MAFRD) said in a statement. "The farm had tested negative for PED following the cleaning and disinfection.


"MAFRD is following up with the producer and the herd veterinarian to manage the disease on site," the agency noted. "The producer has maintained very high biosecurity on the site and there is no indication the virus has spread to other farms, but the provincial investigation will follow-up with all contacts of this farm."


Voluntary testing for PEDv is on-going at sites that handle or move large numbers of pigs. As of Sept. 19, 3,633 samples have been submitted for testing from 18 high-traffic sites. Eight sites have tested positive for the virus, according to MAFRD.

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