PEDv Update – August 14, 2013

August 14, 2013 — 

1. The National Pork Board’s Board of Directors has committed a total of $800,000 toward research, education and coordination of efforts to better understand Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDv). The goal of this effort is to contain and eliminate PEDv from the U.S. There’s no timeline, but veterinarians and producers are concerned about the potential impact colder weather may have on the severity and spread of this disease.

   NPB, in collaboration with AASV and NPPC, has initiated the following groups to address activities associated with the industry response to PEDv:

   1. A PED Strategic Task Force that is charged with helping to review and direct the overall effort. This task force is comprised of representatives of the three groups in addition to numerous members and advisors with particular expertise or involvement with the disease.
   2. PED working groups, under the direction of Dr. Hans Rotto, were formed to concentrate efforts on three key areas:
      1. Packing plant biosecurity – keep from transmitting PEDv in packing plants and sow consolidator sites. The group has met with representatives from market hog processors, sow plants and consolidators. All groups have been very willing to participate and explore opportunities to minimize the risk of viral spread through their facilities. A number of action items have been discussed.
      2. On-farm biosecurity including transport biosecurity – The objective is to keep PEDv off the farm if you don’t already have it.
      3. On-farm biocontainment – The objective is to prevent the virus from moving off a positive farm.
2. AASV continues to lead the investigation into how the virus was initially introduced into the U.S. swine herd. Given the findings of the initial veterinary survey, one area of concentrated investigation has been associated with the manner in which the pigs are fed. The feed industry continues to be very cooperative and has participated fully with all requests for access and samples for testing. To date, the actual source of the introduction has not been determined. Visit the AASV PEDv web page for additional information, references and the latest update of new case reports including the first case in Wisconsin.