Deadly Virus May Kill 2.5 Million Pigs In The Coming Year

Thursday, June 19, 2014
By Paul Martin

Tom Polansek, Reuters
BusinessInsider.com
Jun. 19, 2014

U.S. veterinarians are warning that outbreaks of a deadly pig virus will climb this autumn after a summertime hiatus, likely killing another 2.5 million pigs over the next 12 months and amplifying an increase in pork prices.

Concerns persist about the expected jump in infections of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv) despite assurances from U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Wednesday that the nation is likely “on the other side” of the disease due to approval of the first vaccine directly available to farmers.

Harrisvaccines, an Iowa-based company, developed the vaccine approved by USDA this week. But Joel Harris, head of sales and marketing, said there were uncertainties about how much the vaccine will thwart PEDv in cold weather.

“There could be situations where the virus could overwhelm the immunity of the herd,” he said.

The spread of PEDv, which thrives in cold and damp conditions, has slowed due to warmer temperatures after peaking in February. PEDv does not threaten humans or food safety, according to the USDA.

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