PEDv Update: 61 Cases Confirmed in Manitoba

After a lull in the PEDv outbreak in southern Manitoba, a second wave of reported cases has generated warnings to UK pork producers

by Cam Patterson

“We had not had any positive cases since the 14 of July but IP 61 or infected premises 61 was confirmed positive from samples collected from pigs,” Dr. Glen Duizer with the Office of Manitoba’s Chief Veterinary Officer confirmed during a recent interview on FarmScape Online. This was the first case of PED reported in Manitoba in almost four weeks since the outbreak seemed all but abated.

Earlier this month Canadian Meat Business released a piece that questioned if bio-security gaps contributed to the spike, and by gaps we refer to the CFIA 2016’s decision to repeal the funding for provincial truck wash stations – the very core of the bio-security program.

“Further diagnostic work is underway to determine the implications of this latest infection”

 
The On-Farm Cases report also claimed that nine of the 61 premises previously confirmed in Manitoba for PEDv were flagged to be PED Presumptive Negative; as determined by the Chief Veterinary Office (CVO) and the Manitoba Swine veterinarian’s negative status protocol. And now 61 cases are confirmed.

U.S. Pork producers are still watching, and with NAFTA talks commencing next week, one must surmise the time could play in the negotiations.

Even UK pork farmers are being put on high alert due to the epidemic in Manitoba, with pork councils there reminding their producers that virulent strains of PEDv are still circulating in parts of the world. What does that do for trade on the heels of a CETA agreement that still labors to become a verified trade pact.

Manitoba’s Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP), had passed a resolution to lobby CFIA to reinstate the truck wash program, whereas livestock trailers would be sealed at the border and sanitized at approved Manitoba facilities.

In the meantime, Dr. Duizer told FarmScape Online further diagnostic work is underway to determine the implications of this latest infection.

By Cam Patterson with files from Farmscape.ca