The Canadian Food Inspection Agency could not confirm a link between feed containing blood plasma and Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDv) cases in Canada.
In February, Grand Valley Fortifiers, a Cambridge, Ontario-based supplier of animal nutrition products, voluntarily recalled some of its swine feed products after several of its customers were affected by the virus. The pellets contained swine plasma that originated in the United States. Tests later confirmed the presence of PEDv in samples of plasma obtained by a third-party manufacturer for the company.
CFIA began testing swine feed to determine a possible link to the spread of PEDv. But the agency reported that its research could not demonstrate that feed pellets containing blood plasma were capable of causing disease.
"In line with our commitment to science, the Agency will continue to analyze feed and feed ingredients, as well as epidemiological information gathered during the investigation, in order to verify that CFIA controls continue to protect Canadian livestock," CFIA said in a statement on its website. "In addition, the CFIA will examine any new lines of enquiry related to feed that may emerge, in particular from ongoing testing in Canada and the US."
Canada’s first positive case of PEDv was confirmed on Jan. 23.
