Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV)

Swine Health Guide

Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV) - What Is It?

Background:

PEDV is caused by a virus (Coronavirus) that is related to transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) virus.

• PEDV only infects pigs (NOT humans or other livestock).
• This is a new virus to the U.S. and was first confirmed in the country on May 17, 2013.

Clinical signs:

• In previously naïve herds, PEDV is similar to TGE and includes:
  • Severe diarrhea in pigs of all ages
  • Vomiting
  • High mortality - almost 100% in preweaned pigs

Diagnosis:

Requires sample submissions to a diagnostic laboratory (contact your veterinarian).

Transmission:

Oral contact with contaminated feces. The most common sources of infected feces are pigs, trucks, boots, clothing or other fomites.

Incubation period:

(time from exposure to clinical signs) Only 12-24 hours.

Shedding:

(amount of time animals can infect others) Up to 3 to 4 weeks.

Immunity/Protection:

• No cross-protection with between TGE and PEDV even though both are Coronaviruses.
• Maternal protection through colostrum from previously exposed sows can be quite effective.
• No protection is long lasting (herds can re-break).
• Vaccine studies are in progress.

Treatment:

Supportive care through hydration.  Provide clean, dry, draft free environment with access to high quality drinking water (electrolytes may be beneficial).

Prevention:

Limit cross contamination with any suspected pigs feces.

• Clearly define and communicate a Line of Separation which marks the separation between your facility, transport vehicles or the outside / inside of your production site.
• Contact your veterinarian and enhance biosecurity procedures.
• Biosecurity of transportation vehicles is important; they should be clean, disinfected and dry.
• Several disinfectants have been demonstrated to effectively inactivate PEDV, such as formalin, sodium carbonate, lipid solvents, and strong iodophors in phosphoric acid.
• Replacement breeding stock should originate from a negative herd.

Challenges to Industry:

Infection with PED can create tremendous financial losses to a pork producer.

For more information on biosecurity and PED visit the Pork website or contact a veterinarian.

Diseases like to hitch a ride, separate yourself from cross-contamination!

The organisms that cause disease in pigs (bacteria, viruses and parasites) can survive in different types of materials. Organic matter (shavings, manure) or water, mud or snow can carry diseases on boots, clothing, tires, undercarriages, trailers, shovels, winter panels, sorting panels and people can infect healthy pigs.  Other activities, such as walking into a contaminated barn or packing plant can increase risk for disease spread because boots and trailers can become contaminated with diseases the farms you serve are trying to keep out. Assume every site you touch is a risk. Do not be responsible for transferring this disease.

©2013 National Pork Board, Des Moines, IA USA. This message funded by America’s Pork Producers and the Pork Checkoff. #04908 12/2013

Important information for Swine Exhibitors

Most of you are aware of the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PED) that is a potential threat to our swine population. It is a very contagious disease that can affect your pig projects. Here are some things that you need to think about and some things that can help your own biosecurity. Remember, these suggestions are made for any possible disease too, not just for PED. If you would like more detailed information about the disease, check our 4-H Website.

Information to consider about PED:

• It takes 12-24 hours from time of exposure until clinical signs appear in piglets.
• Once infected, the animal can infect other animal up to 3 to 4 weeks
  • This is why we recommend 30 days quarantine time.
• Once you clean and disinfect your equipment, it is necessary to dry those things in the sunlight to get rid of any moisture where the disease can remain.

If you raise pigs at your facility:

• Use good sanitation procedures to help minimize possible contamination of your facilities.
• See suggested sanitation procedures below.

If you buy pigs from other breeders:

• If you purchase new pigs, it is recommended that you isolate your pigs for 30 days to make certain they are not sick.
• If you have any concerns, contact your veterinarian for help.

If you attend Swine Jackpots:

• Going to jackpots, especially with younger pigs, increases your chances of contacting other sick pigs and bringing the sickness home.
• It is suggested that if you attend a jackpot, you need to isolate your pigs for 30 days after you get home and follow good sanitation procedures.
• This includes cleaning and sanitizing all your feeders, waterers, shovels, rakes, etc. that were used at the jackpot.
  • This includes your trailer, bedding and personal clothing that you wore. Then place these items in the sun for a few days to dry .
  • If it is clothing items, wash them and place in the dryer, then you do not need to place them in the sun.
  • Remember – many times you can spread disease from your shoes, boots, jacket’s because they can carry home the disease in the manure that is on your clothes.

Recommended sanitation procedures:

At the exhibition or sale:

• Assess your pigs’ health on a daily basis.
• Report any swine health issues to the exhibit organizer (i.e. swine superintendent) or show.  Veterinarian’s so they can assess the pig in question.
• Keep your area clean and free of manure contamination.
• Do not share equipment with other exhibitors.
• Do not bring your pets (cats or dogs) to the exhibit.

Once you get home:

When pigs from different farms are brought to an exhibit or sale and commingled with other pigs of a different health status, the risk of catching a disease can be high. Just like people can spread illness to each other when gathered in a group, pigs from many locations in an exhibit can also spread illness to each other. Therefore, when you bring your pig back home from an exhibit or sale, it is best to place them in isolation.

Isolate returning pigs from the other pigs at your farm.

• Work with your veterinarian for an isolation plan. The isolation/observation period before returning to contact with other pigs should be no fewer than 7-30 days in order to detect an illness.
•  Consult a veterinarian if your pig becomes ill.
• Clean and disinfect equipment, clothing, shoes, show box and contents, and vehicles/trailers that were used at the exhibition.

Clean-up can be as simple as washing, disinfecting and allowing your equipment to dry out in the sun Clean and dry equipment will help to prevent the spread of pathogens.

Recommendations for isolation: (if you have other pigs at your farm)

• Isolation will allow for time for pigs to be observed for disease after they return from an exhibition or sale. When pigs are in isolation, additional testing can be complete to check for diseases before pigs are added back to the rest of the farm. Check with your veterinarian for testing recommendations.
•  Have a designated area away from other pigs that have not been to a show.
• Do chores for the pigs in the isolation area as the last task of the day after you have already worked with your other pigs.
•  Have dedicated boots and coveralls for isolation only. Another option is to use disposable coveralls and plastic boots for use in isolation and then thrown away when done in isolation.
•  Have a separate trash can for use in isolation only.
• Supplies such as buckets and feed pans should not be shared between pigs in isolation and other animals.
•  All equipment should be thoroughly cleaned, disinfected and allowed to dry after use in the isolation area.

Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus – What does it mean to my swine project?

The pork industry is currently dealing with a very nasty virus that is ripping through the swine herds of the United States. Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV) is related to the transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) virus of which you may have heard about previously. The PEDV is related to TGE, however, it different enough from the TGE virus that our pigs do not have immunity to the PEDV. The PEDV was first identified in this country on May 17, 2013 and has rapidly spread across the country. Since our pigs have never been exposed to the virus, the disease has moved quickly from herd to herd. The PEDV does not affect humans or other livestock.

All ages of pigs are susceptible to this disease and the biggest danger is to baby pigs less than 17 days of age where mortality or death rate is almost 100%. In older pigs, the disease is also very severe, but the death rates are much, much lower. The disease will show up as severe diarrhea and vomiting and seems to last from 4 to 7 days in most cases. If you have a pig that is showing these signs it is essential to call your veterinarian and do the testing to identify if this is PEDV. Samples your veterinarian will most likely take will be samples of the diarrhea and swabs of the pig’s saliva. Currently there is no vaccine for this disease, but several companies are working hard to develop one. The only treatment is to support the animal during the vomiting and diarrhea. Supporting care should include a dry, clean, warm, and draft free housing. Support your pig during this illness by providing clean, high quality, free choice water. The addition of electrolytes you can get from the feed store is a good option and in the case of an emergency, the use of electrolyte drinks such as Pedialyte, Powerade, or Gatorade for example will also work. Isolating a sick pig is extremely important in preventing the spread of the disease to other pigs.

The PEDV is very virulent and can exist in the environment for a significant amount of time. It is transmitted in the feces and can be shed by an animal for up to 4 weeks, so that means that sick animals need to be kept away from healthy animals for 4 weeks. The virus thrives in cooler environments, but also is viable to temperatures of 140 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. The time it takes for an animal that is healthy to get the disease once exposed is 12 to 24 hours.

The best way to prevent PEDV is biosecurity. This disease is transmitted via direct contact with sick animals or fomites which are objects that have become exposed to the manure of a sick animal. Fomites or objects that can transmit the disease can be items such as clothing, boots, brushes, trucks, trailers, and many other items that come in contact with the manure. Keeping your pens and tools clean are essential, be very vigilant in cleaning up manure. Restricting people who have been around other pigs from coming in contact with your pigs should be considered. If you do have an animal that is sick, use buckets and other items only for the sick pig and do not bring it around healthy animals. Using disposable booties and coveralls exclusively for working around sick animals is a good idea. The use of disinfectants can help in controlling the virus, but remember before you disinfect you must make sure all of the manure is cleaned out. After disinfecting the item or area, it should be allowed to dry to insure the destruction of the virus.

The best prevention for this disease is common sense and implementing good biosecurity practices. If you have questions or need more information contact your county agent or you may contact me at 970-491-6642 or at brett.kirch@colostate.edu.

A good source of current information about PEDV can be found at the Pork website - Click on the PEDV symbol on the home page.