The first-ever reported case of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) in Alberta is under investigation by Canadian veterinary officials.
In a Jan. 8 news release, the province's hog producer commission Alberta Pork reported that an outbreak of the disease was discovered at a 400-head hog operation in Alberta.
PEDv causes diarrhea and vomiting in pigs but poses no risk to human health, according to the commission. "This incident has not caused any food safety concerns," Alberta Pork noted in the statement, "and pork products remain safe for consumption."
The virus is spread by the fecal-oral route, noted Alberta Pork, with the most common source being infected feces coming onto a farm with various surfaces that can transmit the virus. In nursing pigs, PED can cause up to 100 percent mortality.
Alberta Pork and Alberta Agriculture and Forestry are advising pork producers to review and enhance their biosecurity protocols on-farm and in animal transportation to limit the impact of the disease.
The first case of PEDv in Canada was confirmed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in 2014 on a hog farm in Ontario. Since then, the virus has also been reported in Manitoba, Quebec and Prince Edward Island.
Source : Meatingplace