The PED virus kills young piglets at an astonishing rate with a near 100% mortality rate in suckling pigs. A Canadian effort has been launched to understand and stop the disease to protect the young pigs and to aid the pig industry in North America.
Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea first appeared in the United States in April 2013 and by January of 2014 it has appeared in Canada. Since it was first discovered in the U.S., at least 8 million pigs have died. So far more than 70 cases have been reported in Canada and it has found its way into PEI, Ontario, Quebec, and Manitoba.
Genome Alberta saw a way for genomics to be used to respond to the threat and decided to put together a plan and find the necessary funding. The resulting collaboration is good news for PEDv research and for the pork industry.
The funding group consists of Genome Alberta, Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency, Genome Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ontario Genomics Institute, and Genome Quebec. Together we are pleased to announce 3 new research projects being funded to deal with the outbreak of PEDv.
Development of a new generation of modified live virus vaccine for PEDv using reverse genetics system (led by VIDO-Intervac at the University of Saskatchewan)
Enhanced molecular diagnosis and validating genetic resistance to PEDv in pigs (led by the University of Saskatchewan and the National Centres for Animal Disease)
The use of new molecules in association with real time-qPCR assays to discriminate infectious from non-infectious porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) particles. (led by Faculté de médecine vétérinaire (FMV), Université de Montréal)
The contributors to the $650,000 funding envelope identified the value of genomics technology in dealing with the PEDv outbreak, launched the request for proposals, and assembled an international team of peer reviewers to recommend the projects to be funded. This is a good example of how the Canadian research community and funders can work together to address practical and immediate problems.
This effort would not have been possible without the commitment of the participating funders and we look forward to the results of the research and to eventually mitigating the PED virus.
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