The National Pork Board's board of directors approved an additional $350,000 toward research, education and coordination of efforts to become more knowledgeable about Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV). The additional funds bring the total dollars invested in PEDV to $800,000, according to NPB.
The virus was first detected in US swine herds in mid-May, and as of mid-July, 346 cases of PEDV have been confirmed in 14 states, with most in Iowa and Oklahoma, according to the Board.
"Our No. 1 priority is to contain spread of the virus with the goal of increasing the potential to eliminate the disease," said Dr. Paul Sundberg, vice president of science and technology at the National Pork Board. "Through research we just completed, we already have determined that transportation of sows and market hogs can be a major risk factor in the spread of PEDV."
Sundberg added that the next step is to assemble a core team of pork producers, veterinarians, packers and processers to refine a specific biosecurity approach.
"The collaboration we have received in just the first two months of study is outstanding," he said. "Each day we learn more about PEDV and its impact, so these additional funds for timely research and national coordination will allow us to help pork producers better address the virus, while preparing us for other potential emerging disease scenarios."
