Source: MEATINGPLACE, 4/23/14
 
The National Animal Health Laboratory Network reported that 262 tests for porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) proved positive out of 819 conducted at six veterinary diagnostic labs in the week ended April 12, according to the American Association of Swine Veterinarians’ latest update.

The latest data bring the number of confirmed cases to 5,790 since the virus was discovered in the United States in May 2013.

This report added Vermont to the states officially reporting at least one confirmed case of PEDv, bringing that total to 29 states. It also noted that cases have been diagnosed in Virginia but did not add the state to its official count.
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 having been affected.

USDA last week announced a plan to institute a monitoring and control program requiring producers to report to the department all herds diagnosed with PEDv.

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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