Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus
History
Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus has been relatively common in Asia and Europe since the 1970s. The first US case appeared in Iowa in 2013 and the virus reached Oregon in 2016. By 2019, the disease had killed an estimated 7 million pigs in the US alone.
Clinical signs
The clinical signs of disease are very age-specific with it being much more severe in younger animals. In suckling pigs (less than 7 days old), there is profuse, watery diarrhea that is often yellow in color. In many cases, the pigs also vomit, lose their appetite, become dehydrated and die.
It generally affects entire litters and up to 50%–100% of the litter may die. Pigs over a week of age typically recover. When older animals (nursery, grower, finisher, sows, boars) become infected they may go off feed for 2–4 days, have loose manure (similar to a cow pie) and vomit. The death rate is very low in post-weaning animals (1%-3%) but the entire herd may have clinical signs after initial exposure.
In herds where the disease has become established, only suckling and recently weaned pigs become ill. The incubation in individual animals is as short as 22–36 hours and the first cases are usually observed 4–5 days after exposure. The disease will spread rapidly within a herd.
There are other diseases that cause very similar clinical signs, such as coccidiosis, transmissible gastroenteritis, rota viral diarrhea, Clostridium perfringens enterotoxemia and E. coli scours. It is essential to submit proper samples to a veterinary diagnostic laboratory for diagnosis.
It is important to note that PEDv only affects swine and cannot spread to humans, nor does it cause a health risk to those who consume pork products derived from infected animals.
Transmission
The virus is spread by a fecal-oral route. Infected pigs shed enormous amounts of viruses for 7–9 days. Infection may be through direct contact with infected pigs or indirectly by exposure to manure on boots and clothing, farm supplies and equipment, or trucks/trailers used to move pigs.
The virus is killed by common disinfectants such as bleach, Virkon® S, 1-Stroke, Environ and drying. It may persist in cool, damp organic matter for up to a month.
Treatment
No specific treatment is available. Affected pigs should be kept warm, dry and well-hydrated with oral electrolyte supplementation. In very young animals, treatment is usually futile.
Prevention
Strict biosecurity and sanitation are the best means of prevention. It is important to know the PEDv status of herds where pigs are purchased and avoid those that have had the virus.
Be sure trucks and trailers used to haul pigs have not been contaminated by infected pigs. It takes a very small amount of manure for infection to occur. Do not commingle pigs from multiple sources or groups of pigs. Do not take boots, clothing or equipment between pig farms. There are currently no effective vaccines available.
Diagnosis
Diagnostic tests are available to confirm PEDv infection in pigs. The following samples should be collected from acutely-affected pigs within the first 24 hours after onset of diarrhea. Please consult your veterinarian for assistance with sample collection.
PCR testing
Feces: a minimum of 10 ml of feces collected in a leak-proof container.
Intestine: segments of fresh jejunum, ileum, and colon (each approx. 10 inches) placed in separate leak-proof containers.
These specimens should be refrigerated and transported on frozen gel packs.
Immunohistochemistry testing
Formalin-fixed segments of jejunum, ileum and colon (each approx. 1 inch, opened to expose mucosa to fixative) placed in leak-proof containers.
If you suspect your pigs are infected
Because clinical signs of PEDv are similar to those associated with other diseases, laboratory diagnosis is the only way to confirm a diagnosis. Please work with your veterinarian if you have scouring pigs to determine the cause and prevent the spread of the disease.
Importing pigs into Oregon
The Oregon Department of Agriculture works to ensure the health of our state’s pork industry. To accomplish this goal, a special Oregon Department of Agriculture directive went into effect February 10, 2014. This directive requires that Certificates of Veterinary Inspection accompanying hogs entering Oregon, for purposes other than immediate slaughter, contain the following statement from the issuing veterinarian:
"To the best of my knowledge, swine represented on this certificate have not originated from a premise known to be affected by porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv), and have not been exposed to PEDv within the last 30 days."
Producers importing animals from PEDv-affected states are strongly encouraged to voluntarily quarantine their new arrivals for at least three weeks and call their veterinarian immediately if the animals show any signs of disease.
Special considerations for show pigs
Exhibitors and their leaders should carefully weigh the risks associated with comingling pigs from multiple sources at shows and fairs. There should be a discussion regarding the risks associated with weigh-ins and exhibition events.
For more information
Contacts for information on PEDv and biosecurity:
- Charles T. Estill, Oregon State University Extension veterinarian.
- Gene J. Pirelli, Oregon State University Extension swine specialist.
Sample submission and diagnostics:
- Oregon State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (541-737-3261).
Importation of pigs into Oregon:
- State veterinarian, Oregon Department of Agriculture (503-986-4680).
