The Canadian Swine Health Board (CSHIB) says it has received confirmation of a positive case of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDV) in Canada. The virus was first diagnosed in the U.S. in May 2013 and has spread to 23 states. The CSHIB was notified as soon as the case was confirmed, and is working with industry and government stakeholders to prevent it from further spreading, it says.
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture said the first case was discovered on a firm in Middlesex County. “At this time, the source of the virus is unknown. The affected farm followed strict biosecurity protocols, but experience in other jurisdictions shows that PEDV is extremely difficult to contain and more cases are possible,” states the ministry.
CSHIB reminds PEDV is not a food health rise, although it is considered a “serious health threat” to the Canadian pork industry. “The best way that producers can protect their herds from this pathogen is through implementing strict biosecurity measures. The CSHB’s National Swine Farm-level Biosecurity Standard is a set of comprehensive biosecurity protocols – producers that received training on the Standard, as well as those who did not take the training when it was available, are encouraged to review their biosecurity practices,” says the group.
