Farms.com Home   Ag Industry News

PED detected in Alberta

Discovery was on a truck and not in animals

By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com

Porcine epidemic diarrhea was discovered on a livestock trailer in Alberta on Aug. 2.

This was the first time the disease was discovered in Alberta.

“This is the first time, yes, we’ve detected PED in a truck,” Julia Keenliside, a veterinary epidemiologist with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, told CBC.

Keenliside said the virus was on the truck “at some point” but she doesn’t know if the virus was alive and capable of infecting any animals.

“What we do know is the protein from the virus sticks around a long time in the environment,” she told CBC.

Pigs

The trailer was on its way back to Alberta from a processing plant in Wisconsin when the discovery was made. It was immediately kept for cleaning and disinfecting. The trailer was tested after the cleaning and deemed safe.

There have been various outbreaks in other parts of the country, but Keenliside wanted to make one thing perfectly clear.

“I want to emphasize that we don’t have porcine epidemic in Alberta, we’ve never had a case in pigs,” she told CBC, adding that members of the pork industry have helped keep the virus out of the province.

“The transport industry, Alberta Pork, the producers, the processors, the assembly yards – everyone has collaborated just fantastically.”

 


Trending Video

KIOTI RX 7340 Customization | An Updated Overview

Video: KIOTI RX 7340 Customization | An Updated Overview

KIOTI Tractor Specialist Neal Darby takes you through an updated overview of the impressive RX7340. Packed with new upgrades and enhanced features, the RX7340 is the perfect example of a powerful, reliable tractor that can tackle any job on your property. With its 73 horsepower capability, this tractor is designed to handle even the toughest tasks, from landscaping to heavy-duty work. Watch as Neal walks you through the key improvements that make the RX7340 stand out and why it’s the ideal choice for those looking for versatility, performance, and durability.