The Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) has confirmed a small number of animals being held at a high-traffic site in eastern Manitoba has tested positive for Porcine Epidemic Diarrhoea (PED) virus.
Last week, there were three new reports of PED at high-traffic or environmental sites and no new reports of suspected PED cases on Manitoba pig farms.
The pigs were transported from another high-traffic site before showing clinical signs. Based on the CVO’s preliminary investigation, it is believed the source of the infection was due to environmental contamination at the high-traffic sites and not from the source farms.
As part of its investigation, the CVO is following up with farms and facilities that had contact with the sites. Both high-traffic sites are co-operating with the CVO investigation and have taken measures to reduce the possibility of further transmission.
To date, one pig farm has had cases test positive for PED. The total number of high-traffic or environmental sites testing positive for PED is seven.
Several high-traffic sites had not conducted testing before but started because of contact with other positive high-traffic sites or PED positive regions outside of Manitoba. These sites are implementing control and containment plans to prevent PED from moving from their sites to Manitoba farms.
Facilities moving or handling large numbers of pigs are considered high-traffic sites and include livestock assembly yards, federal and provincial abattoirs, truck-wash stations and livestock trailers.
Manitobans are reminded PED is not a food safety issue and it does not affect humans. However, it can be a severe and often fatal illness in newborn and young pigs. Older animals often have less serious symptoms and generally recover.
PED is a reportable disease in Manitoba. Producers are encouraged to remain vigilant with the necessary biosecurity protocols that prevent the spread of PED and are reminded they must report all suspected cases to their veterinarian.
The CVO will continue to work with the pork industry to help any affected producers eliminate the disease from their herds and prevent the disease from spreading. Producers who have questions about PED, biosecurity and related issues should contact the Manitoba Pork Council at www.manitobapork.com for their resources and expertise.
There are now 57 farm premises that have tested positive for PED across Canada including one in Manitoba, one in Prince Edward Island, one in Quebec and 54 in Ontario. Manitoba remains in regular contact with chief veterinary officers and industry stakeholders across the country on this issue.
