Two environmental samples test positive for PEDv in Saskatchewan

What we know

A tweet posted July 26th by Dr. Egan Brockhoff, DVM, stated that two environmental samples (not livestock) in Saskatchewan had tested positive for PEDv.

 

What’s PEDv?

The Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus is as bad as it sounds. According to Manitoba Pork, PEDv can affect all pigs and is often fatal to newborn pigs under 7 to 10 days of age. However, it does not affect any other species, including humans, and is not a food safety issue. PEDv is primarily transmitted through feces. Clinical signs include excessive scouring, wasting, vomiting, and newborn mortality.

The disease has had a devastating impact in the U.S., Ontario, and Manitoba, with over 20 positive cases in Manitoba in the spring of 2017 alone.

Transport trucks and vehicles moving between farms has been identified as a major risk factor in spreading the disease.

More on the Saskatchewan test

Brockhoff says both positives were environmental samples, not from positive pigs. The samples originated from one truck wash and one trailer. The trailer had been used to haul cull sows to the U.S. The trailer was washed and disinfected and still tested positive.

Biosecurity resources

For those with hogs, a refresher on biosecurity measures to limit the spread of PEDv can be found here.

More to come…

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