PEDv Update – July 24, 2013

July 24, 2013 — 

• The NAHLN has provided AASV with the diagnostic test results from the week of July 15. There were no new states added to the list but some modifications were made to previous data as a result of clarifications from the individual veterinary diagnostic labs. There have been 695 positive samples tested from 378 positive accessions. These results are posted on the AASV PEDv web page (scroll down to Number of New Cases Reported under the Disease Updates header).
• Ohio State University virologists, Linda Saif and Qiuhong Wang, are working to develop a serological test to diagnose and trace the spread of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV). The six month project, funded by the National Pork Board, involves growing the virus in the lab and using this material to develop a serological test, which will allow scientists to determine how widespread PEDV is in the U.S. swine population. [PorkNetwork]
• University of Minnesota researchers have developed a rapid diagnostic test for porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus. Samples including swine fecal swabs, saliva, serum, feed, and fecal, intestinal and lung tissues can be tested via a multiplex assay which identifies the presence of not just PED virus, but also transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE). Pairing the tests improves affordability to agriculture by bringing the cost of the test to less than $50. [National Hog Farmer]
• Following a unanimous vote by its board of directors, the National Pork Board has committed to investing an additional $350,000 toward research, education and coordination of efforts to better understand Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus, or PEDV. This increase in funding is in addition to $450,000 announced in June, bringing total Checkoff dollars invested to $800,000. The original supplemental funds have been used to support numerous research projects including[Pork.org]:
  • Tissue localization, shedding, virus carriage, antibody response and aerosol transmission of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDV) following inoculation of feeder pigs
  • Development and validation of diagnostic testing for antigen and antibody detection for PEDV
  • Propagation of PEDV in tissue culture and development of standardized reference samples for use in diagnostic testing
  • Evaluation of time and temperature sufficient to kill PEDV in swine feces on metal surfaces
  • Epidemiologic investigation on propensity for lateral spread of PED virus