Source: Chris Scott, MEATINGPLACE, 8/18/14


Newly published research underscores the importance of washing down all equipment that could come in contact with Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV), and enforcing strict biosecurity measures in and around hog farms.

PEDV is particularly deadly to piglets and has already cost hog farmers millions of dollars since its discovery in the United States in May 2013.

Researchers at South Dakota State tested feed bins that had held feed suspected of contaminating pigs on three Iowa farms with PEDV. Although the farms used biosecurity measures, the feed bins in the study had been used on an emergency basis and were outside the farms’ normal biosecurity area. The feed residue still in the bins was found to be contaminated.

To test the method of delivery, the researchers deposited the residue on fresh feed, which was fed to a test group of piglets. A control group was given feed that had been “spiked” with a stock PEDV strain, and a second control group was given unadulterated feed. The test group that was given feed treated with the residue of the Iowa feed bins fell ill.

The researchers stress that their study shows that PEDV could be passed along through animal feed that has been exposed to feces of infected pigs or other items that contaminated the food supply.

Earlier studies had looked into whether blood plasma that is used in pig feed could also be responsible for spreading the virus; subsequent tests could not confirm a link.

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