Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV) What Is It?

Publish Date: Winter 2016

Background: PEDV is caused by a virus (Coronavirus) that is related to transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) virus.

  • PEDV only infects pigs (NOT humans or other livestock).
  • PEDV was first confirmed in the U.S. on May 17, 2013. Clinical signs: In previously naive herds, PEDV is similar to TGE and includes: » Severe diarrhea in pigs of all ages » Vomiting » High mortality - almost 100% in preweaned pigs

Diagnosis: Requires sample submissions to a diagnostic laboratory (contact your veterinarian).

Transmission: Oral contact with contaminated feces. The most common materials or items that can be contaminated by feces from infected pigs include trucks, boots, clothing, feed and feed trucks or other fomites.

Incubation period: (time from exposure to clinical signs) 12-24 hours Shedding: (amount of time animals can infect others) Up to 3 to 4 weeks

Immunity/Protection: No cross-protection with between TGE and PEDV even though both are Coronaviruses.

  • Maternal protection through colostrum from previously exposed sows can be quite effective.
  • Sow immunity after infection appears to last at least 6-7 months. More research is needed in this area.
  • Vaccines for PEDV are currently available to help boost sow immunity.

Treatment: Supportive care through hydration. Provide clean, dry, draft-free environment with access to high-quality drinking water (electrolytes may be beneficial).

Prevention: Limit cross contamination with any suspected pigs’s feces.

  • Clearly define and communicate a Line of Separation which marks the separation between your facility, transport vehicles or the outside / inside of your production site.
  • Contact your veterinarian and enhance biosecurity procedures.
  • Sanitation of barns, equipment and transportation vehicles is very important; they should be clean, disinfected and dried.
  • Several disinfectants have been demonstrated to effectively inactivate PEDV, such as glutaraldehyde/ quaternary ammonium, accelerated hydrogen peroxide, formalin, sodium carbonate, lipid solvents, and strong iodophors in phosphoric acid.

For more information in English and Spanish go to: http://www.pork.org/pork-checkoff-research/pedv/pedv-resources/

This information was extracted from materials provided by the National Pork Board