During the ongoing surveillance activities being conducted by Alberta Pork in collaboration with the Alberta government, swine delta coronavirus (SDCV) has been detected at a pig-handling facility in Alberta. This environmental sample was not taken from a farm or a sick animal. There are no reported cases of SDCV in pigs in Alberta.
Alberta Pork is working close with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) and the facility to investigate the situation and keep producers informed. Together, we have been preparing for the possibility of PED and SDCV for months. A plan is in place to reduce the risk of the spread of the disease, investigate and manage the situation.
ARD is taking action to trace and contact others who may have been at this site. If there is anyone whose operation is thought to be at risk, they will be contacted directly.
Swine delta coronavirus (SDCV) is a new virus first found in pigs in Hong Kong in 2012. The second report of this virus was in the United States in February 2014 and it was confirmed in Ontario in March 2014. SDCV is from the same family of viruses as the swine diseases porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) and transmissible gastro enteritis (TGE). It causes diarrhea and vomiting in all age groups and mortality in nursing pigs. Mortality rates appear to be lower than in cases of PED.
Like PED, SDCV is not transmissible to humans and poses no risk to food safety or human health.
Because SDCV is a new disease, there is not a lot of experience or research on it and how it spreads. As the disease is similar to PED, it is thought that prevention and management of the disease is similar to PED.
There is currently no treatment or effective vaccine for SDCV.
This serves as a reminder that producers should treat all high pig-traffic sites and vehicles as potentially contaminated with the PED virus and/or SDCV. Producers must work closely with their livestock hauler to ensure all trucks are cleaned, disinfected and dried every time before entering a farm.
If any truck tries to enter your farm that has not been cleaned, don’t let it on. It poses a serious risk for bringing PED or SDCV onto your farm and into your barn.
Other biosecurity measures, such as cleaning and disinfecting load-out areas and requiring clean boots and clothing for all barn visitors, should also be strictly enforced.
Source: Alberta Pork