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Feed practices may point to porcine virus source
Story Date: 8/5/2013
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Source: Michael Fielding, MEATINGPLACE, 8/1/13
As researchers continue to better understand Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus, or PEDV, an association of veterinarians is reporting that some feed practices may help identify the source of the outbreak, which was first identified in U.S. swine herds in mid-May. As of mid-July, 346 cases of PEDV had been confirmed in 14 states, with most in Iowa and Oklahoma.
Data collected by the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) was submitted to the USDA’s Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health (CEAH), which is reporting that the origin of sow feed as well as the type, premix contents and several different rations fed to weaned market pigs in the last 90 days increases the odds of PEDV as much as three-and-a-half times.
Use of a “grain mixed with amino acid source and a base mix” was associated with an increased risk of PEDV for both sow feed and finisher feed, according to the report.
Although PEDV is widespread in many countries, it is not trade-restricting. The virus presents itself similarly to Transmissible Gastroenteritis (TGE), another swine disease. The symptoms are clinically similar, including diarrhea and dehydration, and can be fatal to small pigs - especially those under three weeks of age. Current research is focused on diagnostics and surveillance, pathogenicity, transmission risk factors and educating pork producers and transporters on steps they can take to eliminate it.
Barring contamination, vaccinating sows or weaned market pigs for specific agents is unlikely to cause a decrease in the odds of PED, according to the report.
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