The busy fall season is not the time to neglect disease threats to your pigs, especially the risk posed by Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV).
Summer’s warmth may have slowed the spread of the virus, but fall’s cooler, changeable weather signals the approach of a more favorable environment for PEDV to reprise its costly damage, according to Dr. Lisa Becton, the Pork Checkoff swine health and information director.
“Producers should recheck all their biosecurity measures, both on the off the farm,” Becton said. “After what we’ve experienced in terms of PEDV’s ability to spread and survive, it’s critical to maintain heightened vigilance and implement strict biosecurity.”
Becton offers the following tips to help reduce the risk of PEDV transmission and subsequent losses:
- Communicate with everyone involved with manure handling. At this time of year, working with on-farm or commercial manure haulers is critical. Know everyone involved and don’t let any of the manure crew members enter barns, office areas or walk over areas used by farm personnel. Never let them come in direct contact with pigs.
- Establish a line of separation for transport. Having a line of separation, which is the line between the area used by transporters and the area used by farm or market personnel, is critical for effective biosecurity. It reminds you that every contact with a site or market could contaminate your truck, trailer or chute.
- Maintain stringent cleaning of barns, trucks and trailers. With fall and winter’s colder weather, this is even more critical. Proper cleaning steps include removing all manure and bedding, soaking with soap and/or degreaser, pressure-washing with hot water, disinfecting with an appropriate disinfectant and thorough drying.
- Have a biosecurity plan in place for all non-farm personnel. Don’t overlook the potential disease transmission risk posed by those who don’t work on your farm. This includes state animal health authorities, PQA Plus® advisors, Extension specialists, state and environmental management staff, supply or feed company staff, maintenance specialists (electricians, plumbers, etc.), veterinarians, nutritionists and utility providers (electric, water, propane gas, etc.).
- Know your farm’s PEDV status at all times and report positive cases. While this may seem elementary, it’s not. PEDV can be mistaken early on for other enteric diseases, such as TGE, so have a fast diagnosis plan in place with your herd veterinarian. Reporting positive cases is required by USDA. For full details, including potential testing cost reimbursements, visit the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) website.
- Stay informed. The pork industry is working hard to fight PEDV. For new practical tips and the latest information on potential vaccines and other breakthroughs, check the Pork Checkoff's PEDV page, monitor other media outlets or set up free online alerts, such as on Google.
Source: Porkcheckoff