Since the last reported case of PED in Ontario on June 13, Canada had been free of new cases for over a month.
That changed on July 21 as PED was reported on a farrow-to-finish operation in Perth County in Ontario. That brings the total number of cases in Ontario to 63.
The disease continues to spread in the United States as well, with 91 new cases last week. There are now 7,719 confirmed cases in the U.S. involving 30 states.
These developments underscore the importance of staying vigilant at all times with biosecurity practices. While PED poses no danger to humans or the food supply, it causes up to 100% mortality in nursing pigs. The virus is spread by the fecal-oral route, with the most common sources of infected feces coming onto a farm being pigs, trucks, boots, clothing, or other things that can physically move it.
Make sure all incoming animals are healthy. All trucks and trailers MUST be thoroughly washed, dried and disinfected before they go back on-farm, especially those that have been in the United States.
If in doubt, review your biosecurity practices with your veterinarian and work with your employees to ensure they are in effect at all times.
Source: Alberta Pork