Pig Virus Discovered in Quebec

Feb 25, 2014

PED Spreads to a Fourth Canadian Province

By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com

Another one of Canada’s top pork producing provinces is dealing with the pig-killing virus known as Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED).

This is the latest development in the spread of PED in Canada.

Quebec’s agriculture ministry confirmed the province’s first case of PED on Sunday. The pig virus was detected on a farm in the Montérégie region, just south of Montreal.

PED is a virus that can infect all ages of pigs, but poses the highest risk to piglets. The illness causes vomiting, diarrhea and is almost 100 per cent fatal for young pigs. The disease poses no risk to human health or food safety.

Dr. Michel Major, the province’s chief veterinarian said that steps are being taken to slow the spread of the virus. The farm in question has been placed under quarantine.

Cases of the virus have already been confirmed in Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Manitoba. The virus first emerged in Canada at a farm in southwestern Ontario earlier this year. Including Quebec, there are now 24 confirmed cases of PED in the country.

Confirmed cases by province:

Ontario – 21 cases
Manitoba – 1 case
PEI – 1 case
Quebec – 1 case

Ontario, Manitoba and Quebec have the largest number of hog farms in Canada.

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