Source: Manitoba Pork
In the wake of the recent rise in cases of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus in Manitoba swine herds, Manitoba Pork urges producers to ensure that strict biosecurity procedures are practiced on-farm.
The maintenance of secure Controlled Access Zones and Restricted Access Zones is critical in preventing the spread of PEDV. Producers are asked to ensure that all staff, maintenance workers and utility vendors who visit production sites are familiar with how to maintain these zones through the use of proper equipment and sterilization procedures.
Producers must ensure that the procedures for barn loadouts are reviewed, in order to prevent contamination of barns.
• Positive pressure must be maintained in loadouts in order to prevent air from outside being drawn into the barn during loading.
• Care must be taken to prevent the tracking of possible contaminants back into the barn from the loadout area.
• Cleaning of loadouts must be done with equipment that will not re-enter the barn. The use of hoses, pressure washers or wands that are also used inside the barn to clean loadouts can allow contaminated material to be carried back into the barn.
• Staff must change their boots and coveralls from the loadout before re-entering the barn.
Visit Manitoba Pork’s biosecurity webpage to assist in devising an effective biosecurity program for your farm. For any biosecurity and animal care issues, contact Manitoba Pork at 204-237-7447.
