Boosting Biosecurity Crucial to Protecting Your Farm from PED Virus

Boosting Biosecurity Crucial to Protecting Your Farm from PED Virus

By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com

Pig producers are encouraged to ramp up their on-farm biosecurity measures to help prevent the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED) virus entering Canada.

The first PED virus case was discovered in the United States in May, which has spread to over 100 herd spanning 11 states. Officials confirm that the virus hasn’t spread across the border and their hoping it stays that way. It is unknown how the disease originally came to the U.S.

The Canadian Swine Health Board has informed the industry of the looming threat and have outlined a number of precautionary measures that producers are urged to enforce. The virus can spread by pig to pig contact or through manure.

The trucking industry is also asked to be extra vigilant, while transporting live pigs across the border, ensuring that trucks are kept clean using proper sanitation procedures. More information about the PED virus can be found at swinehealth.ca.