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Alberta Pig Handling Facility Tests Positive for Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea

During the ongoing surveillance activities being conducted by Alberta Pork in collaboration with the Alberta government, Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED) 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 PED in pigs in Alberta. The positive sample was taken from an office space. Other samples taken in high pig traffic areas at the same site, such as the loading dock and scales, came back negative.
 
Alberta Pork is working closely 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 for months. A plan is in place to reduce the risk of the spread of the disease, investigate and manage the situation.
 
PED is a highly contagious viral disease of swine that causes vomiting, diarrhea and high death loss in pigs. It was first reported in Canada in January of 2014 and is spread through infected pigs or their feces.
 
PED is not transmissible to humans and poses no risk to food safety or human health.
 
There is currently no treatment or effective vaccine for PED.
 
This serves as a reminder that producers should treat all high pig-traffic sites and vehicles as potentially contaminated with the PED virus. Producers must work closely with their livestock hauler to ensure all trucks are cleaned, disinfected and dried every time before entering a farm.
 
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.
 
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 onto your farm and into your barn.
 
Click here for a guide on some key steps to keeping PED out of Alberta and off your farm. Don’t be the one to let it in.
 
Source: AlbertaPork

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