Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV) has been diagnosed in Iowa

IN THE NEWS
Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV) has been diagnosed in Iowa.
PEDV is a coronavirus related to transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) that was first diagnosed more than 40 years ago in Great Britain. SInce then there have been sporadic outbreaks in Europe and it has become an endemic pig disease in Asia since 1982. PEDV affects only pigs and there are no other known hosts. It also poses no known public health threat.

Iowa Pork Industry Center director Rodney "Butch " Baker said the primary clinical sign is severe diarrhea, which can cause high mortality rates in very young pigs.

"The incubation period is very short -- 12 to 24 hours -- and the virus is shed for seven to 10 days," he said. "Treatment is similar to that for other viral enteric diseases with clean, dry, draft free environment and high quality drinking water."

Veterinarians should contact the veterinary diagnostic laboratory for information on what samples are preferred, and Baker said Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is well prepared to diagnose PEDV and other pathogens that may mimic PEDV.

More information on biosecurity and other facts about this virus and its potential impact is on this IPIC fact sheet. Links to additional sources of information on the IPIC website under Disease--Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus. 5/21/13

---