In Mid-February one farm in southeastern Manitoba was confirmed infected by Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea and earlier this month environmental sampling at nine high traffic sites, including assembly yards, packing plants and truck wash stations, identified two positive environmental samples.

Last week the office of Manitoba's Chief Veterinarian reported no new cases of PED and no new positive environmental samples.

Mark Fynn, an animal care specialist with Manitoba Pork Council, says this infection can be stopped by adhering to strict biosecurity protocols.

Mark Fynn-Manitoba Pork Council:

PED as most of you probably know is now a provincially reportable disease and you need to be very vigilant and report any suspicious clinical signs to your herd vet as soon as you notice them.

As I've mentioned before, these include any change in your scouring patterns, any loose watery manure or pigs going off feed, looking dehydrated or vomiting.

The quicker you report the easier it is to contain the virus for us and costs involved with submitting the samples will be covered so there's no reason not to report and I would encourage you to be extra vigilant and report to your veterinarian if you do notice signs.

Also let's remember that this virus is not a superbug.

It can be stopped by practicing good biosecurity on farm and most importantly by practicing very strict transportation biosecurity.

You need to make sure that all transport trucks backing up to your barn that are returning from the U.S. or that are returning from any assembly yards are fully washed and disinfected.
If you're able to dry it as well that's even better.

I emphasize assembly yards because they are in frequent contact with trucks that have been in the U.S. Because of this you need to assume assembly yards are positive for PEDv.

For more on dealing with PEDv visit manitobapork.com.