Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 4/14/14 


The National Animal Health Laboratory Network reported late last week that 257 tests for porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) proved positive out of 882 tested at eight veterinary diagnostic labs in the week ended April 5, according to the American Association of Swine Veterinarians.

This latest report added Mississippi to the states officially reporting at least one confirmed case of PEDv, bringing that total to 28 states, but also noted, “We are aware, however, that cases have also been diagnosed in Vermont and Virginia, which would bring the actual state count to 30.”

The latest data bring the number of confirmed cases to 5,509 since the virus was discovered in the United States in May 2013.

There is no firm data on how many hogs have been infected, as each case reported can represent anywhere from a single animal to an entire herd at a single site. Industry estimates have ranged as high as 5 million hogs or more have been affected.

Rabobank has predicted North American hog production and slaughter could decline by as much as 7 percent this year and could be 12.5 percent below 2013 levels through 2015.

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