Special Report

PEDV a concern for upcoming show season

Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus is raising concern for the youth who will be showing hogs in county and state fairs across the nation.

Veterinarians at Purdue University say hog exhibitors across the country should be aware of the disease this showing season and take steps to prevent their hogs from being infected.  Purdue University 4-H Extension Specialist, Aaron Fisher, says that the Indiana 4-H program requires that all hog exhibitors be Pork Quality Assurance certified.

Fisher tells Brownfield Ag News that the key lessons from PQA certification that kids should use at the fairs this year are biosecurity and knowing what to look for.

“Just observing your pigs on a daily basis, knowing the signs of disease, and being proactive as far as treating that disease.”

PEDV is a rapidly spreading disease that has been reported in hogs from thirteen states across the U.S including Missouri, Iowa, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Arkansas, Kansas, Michigan, Oklahoma, and South Dakota. There are cases also in Pennsylvania and Colorado. The virus is similar to transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) and causes diarrhea and dehydration. PEDV can be transmitted between animals and through contamination of barns, equipment, trailers, and clothing.

The Board of Animal Health in Indiana says that PEDV poses no threat to food safety, and the disease cannot be spread to humans or other animals.