Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDv) Confirmed in Maryland

Swine Producers Alerted to Take Precautions

(Annapolis) – The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) has confirmed a new case of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDv) in Central Maryland and is alerting swine producers across the state to take proper precautions to protect their herds. PEDv only infects pigs, poses no known public health threat and is not a food safety concern. Mortality rates, however, can be as high as 100 percent in suckling and early weaned pigs.

PEDv was first diagnosed in Great Britain in 1971, and Europe has had periodic outbreaks ever since. The disease was confirmed in the United States in May 2013. It was confirmed in Maryland in November 2013. That case was contained. The latest case was confirmed in late April 2015 and a hold order has been placed on that farm to contain the disease.

Primary clinical signs of the disease are: severe diarrhea in pigs of all ages, vomiting and high morbidity and mortality. It is generally spread among pigs and by infected feces transported into pig areas by trucks, boots, clothing, and the like. Once infected, the incubation period is very short (12-24 hours) and the virus is shed for 7-10 days. Producers who raise swine are encouraged to follow strict biosecurity methods and undertake disinfection procedures, which include the following:

• Limiting traffic (people and equipment) onto the farm;
• Thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting anything coming onto the farm;
• Enforcing downtime requirements and maintaining a log of visitors;
• Taking care when disposing of dead stock particularly if using a communal disposal method;
• Isolating newly arriving animals and continuing to vet discussions about animal health at the herd of origin; and
• Showering before going into the facility where practical and changing into clean boots and coveralls (veterinarians should also be careful not to track the virus between herds on their person, equipment or vehicles).

Producers who suspect their pigs are sick should contact their veterinarian immediately.

In June 2014, the USDA made PEDv a “reportable disease,” which are diseases of great public health concern. PEDv cases must be reported to MDA and to District 1, USDA, APHIS, VS, Area Epidemiology Officer Dr. Gillian Comyn at 804-343-2563 or by e-mail gillian.a.comyn@aphis.usda.gov.  More information and fact sheets on PEDv are available from the American Association of Swine Veterinarians here. Also, see the MDA Animal Health webpage here.

Contact: Maryland Department of Agriculture Animal Health Section, 410-841- 5810

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