The American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) has sent out a reminder that, as part of the June 5, 2014, Federal Order, PINs are required to accompany diagnostic samples for Swine Enteric Coronavirus Disease (SECD) testing. Consequently, beginning 15 December 2014, USDA will no longer pay for SECD submissions that do not include a valid Premises Identification Number (PIN). For samples submitted without a valid PIN, laboratories will charge the submitter of the samples for the testing.

Over the past few months, there has also been a significant improvement in the percentage of samples that are submitted with a valid PIN (from 10 per cent in June to over 75 per cent today). However, significant Federal and State authority resources, as well as practitioners’ time, is being spent researching location information for submissions lacking a valid PIN.

The Federal Order also requires the inclusion of the date of sample collection and the type of unit being sampled (sow, nursery, finisher) at the time of sample submission. This data is critical for monitoring the potential increase in SECD cases through the coming winter months.

USDA will pay for diagnostic testing to support the initial diagnosis of PEDV and PDCoV in swine herds and to support the monitoring and management plans of herds meeting the USDA's case definition, regardless of the test result (positive and negative results). These samples may include individual animal samples or environmental samples which are linked to specific farm sites and live pigs. Samples submitted from truck washes, trucks, trailers, other transport vehicles, feed, feed mills and other non-farm site samples including those submitted for research purposes will not be paid for by the USDA.

Approved sample types submitted for PEDV and PDCoV PCR testing eligible for reimbursement include:

• intestines
• faeces
• faecal swabs
• oral fluids and
• environmental samples (specifically associated with a farm site and live pigs).

Please contact your NAHLN Laboratory for more information on what PEDV and PDCoV diagnostic assays are reimbursable by the USDA as well as for submission procedures for PEDV and/or PDCoV PCR testing. The local Veterinary Services district offices and NAHLN program office ([email protected]) are also able to answer specific questions.