While there is still no certain cure for the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus, or PEDv, which has caused the deaths of some 8 million piglets in at least 30 states, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reported a rise in the number of hogs in Iowa, the country's No. 1 producer.

The USDA in a report said 5.46 million piglets were born between June and August in Iowa, the highest quarterly total in 20 years. A record 10.7 surviving pigs per litter was also set.

The virus apparently waned in warmer weather and also due to farmers' efforts to sterilize their operations.

The notable increase could mean lower pork prices starting winter, according to the USDA.

The US federal government recently approved the sale of the first potential vaccines against PEDv, which destroys the lining of the piglet's gut, causing severe diarrhea and dehydration, as well as vomiting.

The Wall Street Journal had reported that pharmaceutical firms Harrisvaccines and Zoetis received federal approval to manufacture the vaccines, which hopefully would curb the spread of the deadly virus.

Chris Hurt, an agriculture economist at Purdue University, said the increased supply of pigs could lead to a slight decline in consumer prices this winter and a bigger decrease in the spring.

He also predicted that pork supplies would increase by 5% next summer despite an Associated Press report that new cases of PEDv were confirmed at two farms in South Dakota last week.

And since the virus seems to thrive in colder and wetter conditions, hog raisers fear it could resurface when winter comes. Thankfully the 5.46 million baby pigs born between June and August will have grown to market weight this winter.