PED outbreaks on the rise

Jul 11, 2017

Growing number of swine farms affected by virus

By Kaitlynn Anderson

Farms.com

kadmy/iStock/Getty Images Plus photo

Manitoba producers are scrambling to find a solution to a viral outbreak that has hit 51 pork operations in the province since May 2, up from 40 at the end of June.

The virus, Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED), causes severe dehydration and diarrhea in pigs. Generally, the virus is fatal for very young animals but older animals can recover, according to the Government of Manitoba.

There is no food safety risk associated with PED, and it cannot be transmitted to humans or other types of animals.

The best line of defence against the virus and preventing it from spreading are on-farm biosecurity measures, Maria Kubacki of the CFIA said late Monday in an interview with News 1130.

The first Canadian case of PED was first confirmed in Ontario in January 2014, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. In the years since, Manitoba, Quebec and Prince Edward Island have also reported cases.

For more information on PED within individual provinces, including reported cases, see the links below:

- Ontario

- Alberta

- Saskatchewan

- Manitoba

- Quebec

Video: Dr. David Rosero: Fat Quality in Swine Diets

In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. David Rosero from Iowa State University explores the critical aspects of fat quality and oxidation in swine diets. He discusses how different types of lipids affect pig performance and provides actionable insights on managing lipid oxidation in feed mills. Don’t miss this episode—available on all major platforms.

Highlight quote: "Increasing levels of oxidized fats in swine diets reduced the efficiency of feed utilization, increased mortality, and led to more pigs being classified as culls, reducing the number of full-value pigs entering the finishing barns."

Meet the guest: Dr. David Rosero / davidrosero is an assistant professor of animal science at Iowa State University. His research program focuses on conducting applied research on swine nutrition and the practical application of smart farming. He previously served as the technical officer for The Hanor Company, overseeing nutrition, research, and innovation efforts.