August 15, 2013

2 Min Read
PEDV Groups Assembled to Fight the Virus

With $800,000 committed to research, education and coordination of efforts for the control and elimination of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus from the United States, the National Pork Board, American Association of Swine Veterinarians and National Pork Producers Council have formed the following groups to address activities associated with the industry response to PED virus:

  

  • A PED Virus Strategic Task Force is charged with helping to review and direct the overall effort. This task force is comprised of representatives of the three groups in addition to numerous members and advisors with particular expertise or involvement with the disease.

 

  • PED virus working groups, under the direction of Hans Rotto, DVM, Iowa swine veterinary consultant, were formed to concentrate efforts on three key areas:

 

1. Packing plant biosecurity – keep from transmitting PED virus in packing plants and sow collection sites. The group has met with representatives from market hog processors, sow plants and consolidators. All groups have been very willing to participate and explore opportunities to minimize the risk of viral spread through their facilities. A number of action items have been discussed.

2. On-farm biosecurity including transport biosecurity – The objective is to keep PED virus off the farm if you don’t already have it.

3. On-farm biocontainment – The objective is to prevent the virus from moving off a PED virus-positive farm.

According to a report by Harry Snelson, DVM, AASV director of communications, AASV continues to lead the investigation into how the virus was initially introduced into the U.S. swine herd. Given the findings of the initial veterinary survey, one area of concentrated investigation has been associated with the manner in which the pigs are fed. The feed industry continues to be very cooperative and has participated fully with all requests for access and samples for testing.

To date, the actual source of the introduction has not been determined. Visit the AASV PEDv web page for additional information, references and the latest update of new case reports, including the first reported case in Wisconsin.

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