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Swine virus still spreading; little impact seen from Mexico ban
Story Date: 7/5/2013
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Source: MEATINGPLACE, 7/4/13
A strain of swine virus that is especially deadly in young pigs has been diagnosed on two hog farms in North Carolina, the second-largest hog-producing state after Iowa, Reuters reported.
The virus, known as Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea, has already been confirmed in Iowa. At least 265 cases had been reported in 14 states as of June 22, according to the Reuters article.
Mexico recently blocked imports of live pigs from the United States as a result of the virus.
Hog prices
The ban does not involve pork muscle cuts or pork variety meats and therefore is unlikely to have any market significance, according to the Daily Livestock Report, published by Steve Meyer & Len Steiner, Inc.
“Bottom Line: Exports of live pigs are important for U.S. breeding stock producers but are not a significant factor in the butcher hog market. This move by Mexico should have little or no impact on market hog prices,” the DLR analysts wrote.
The strain now spreading in the United States is genetically similar to a virus that killed more than a million piglets in China after it was diagnosed in 2010.
The virus causes diarrhea and vomiting in pigs but does not affect people, and pork remains safe to eat.
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