Second case of porcine epidemic diarrhea detected in Manitoba

The province confirms that porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) has been detected for the second time in the span of a week.

A pig at a southeastern Manitoba finisher barn tested positive for the virus June 2. Another case was detected at a sow farm in the same part of the province on May 26. Prior to these cases, the most recent PED case in Manitoba was in January of 2015.

It has killed millions of pigs in the United States since it was first detected in 2013.

PED is generally considered fatal, especially among younger animals. The virus is not transmittable to humans and there are no food safety risks associated with infected animals, the province said.

Symptoms in sows include loose feces or not eating, while piglets will be dehydrated and have watery diarrhea. Meanwhile weanlings and feeders can also get sick, vomit and have watery diarrhea, the province said.

Manitoba Pork said one of the challenges it faces in trying to curb the spread of diseases comes down to communicating findings in a quick and clear manner. Sometimes it can take between two and three days for the word to get out to all farmers in an affected area, the association said.

"Communication during a disease outbreak can limit the spread of a disease to other farms and also help affected producers get immediate support for a faster recovery," Manitoba Pork said in a statement. 

"Pre-signing of Manitoba Pork's 'Sharing of Information' waiver before a disease event provides your herd veterinarian with the permission to use his or her professional judgment to share your site status and location with other veterinarians and with Manitoba Pork, in order to better protect the industry and get you the support you need."

More information on animal care and disease is available on Manitoba Pork's website.