Manitoba Reports Fifth PED Case

CANADA - Manitoba's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has confirmed the province's fifth on-farm case of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus in a nursery finisher barn in southeast Manitoba. The presence of PED was reported by the herd veterinarian and confirmed by the province's veterinary lab.
calendar icon 2 October 2014
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This farm is located outside the five-km buffer zone of two other farms where PED was confirmed last week. At this time, there is no known link between this case and previously diagnosed cases of PED. The CVO has begun identifying and contacting other premises that have been in direct or indirect contact with this farm to investigate how the virus may have arrived on the premises.

Investigations into the third and fourth on-farm cases continue and include testing for PED virus on nearby farms and other contacts. No additional cases have been found as a result of the investigations into the third and fourth on-farm cases. The CVO will attempt to determine the source of the infection to each farm site, though it is often difficult to definitively isolate the cause.

In all PED investigations led by the CVO between February 2014 and today, 1,090 samples from 182 farms have been tested for the virus.

PED is a reportable disease in Manitoba. Producers and other industry stakeholders are encouraged to remain vigilant with the necessary biosecurity protocols that prevent the introduction and spread of PED. The CVO advises the PED virus is better able survive in the environment with cooler weather. Suspect cases must be reported to the herd veterinarian. Clinical signs of PED include diarrhea, fever, vomiting and newborn mortality.

To date, eight high-traffic or environmental sites have tested positive for PED including two cases where it is likely pigs contracted PED at high-traffic sites and not on-farm. High-traffic sites move or handle large numbers of pigs and include livestock assembly yards, federal and provincial abattoirs, truck-wash stations and livestock trailers. As of September 26, a total of 3,776 samples were submitted for PED testing from 18 high-traffic sites.

The CVO will continue to work with the pork industry to help any affected producers eliminate the disease from their herds and prevent it from spreading.

Producers who have questions about PED, biosecurity and related issues should contact the Manitoba Pork Council at 1-888-893-7447 (toll-free) or online at www.manitobapork.com for their resources and expertise.

Manitobans are reminded PED is not a food safety issue and it does not affect humans. However, it can be a severe and often fatal illness in newborn and young pigs. Older animals often have less serious symptoms and generally recover.

There are now 70 farm premises that have tested positive for PED across Canada including five in Manitoba, one in Prince Edward Island, one in Quebec and 63 in Ontario. Manitoba remains in regular contact with chief veterinary officers and industry stakeholders across the country on this issue.

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