Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea

A case of PED has been confirmed in Alberta

On February 24, 2022, a private veterinarian reported a suspect case of PED to the Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian. The farm is a farrow to finish operation in southern Alberta. As of March 4, 2022, this continues to be an isolated case with no other cases suspected or reported in Alberta.

As of March 10, The investigation continues to find that this is a single, isolated case. No additional cases of PED have been reported or detected and environmental surveillance samples continue to show negative results. On the farm, the virus elimination process is moving along well.

The investigation has also looked further into potential sources of virus to the farm. As with previous PED investigations in 2019, and as is often the case with other disease investigations, pinpointing a source with full confidence is not always possible. With this farm, two likely possibilities have been found, but neither can be ruled as more likely than the other. As such, both are being shared so that other producers can learn from this and consider in their biosecurity programs.

Based on testing done at the farm, a feed ingredient that was fed to the pigs where disease was initially noticed is suspected as a potential source. The other potential source is fomites that were moved into the barn in the immediate vicinity where disease initially broke. Both of these potential sources serve as a reminder for the importance of implementing a comprehensive biosecurity plan, including feed storage, fomites, and people movement.

Alberta Pork and the province continue working closely with the farm and its veterinarian to investigate this finding. Surveillance through the environmental surveillance program has been enhanced in key high-traffic swine sites. All results to date remain negative.

For any questions related to this investigation, contact the Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian at 780-427-3448.

A sample collected by Alberta’s environmental surveillance program has tested weak positive for PED

There have been no new cases of PED in Alberta and no positive results from an Alberta farm. We are working closely with Alberta Pork, producers and industry partners. For more information, visit Alberta Pork.

In Alberta, PED is a provincially reportable disease, which means that producers or veterinarians must notify the Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian of all suspected or confirmed cases. There is no human health risk with PED. PED is a highly contagious, viral disease in pigs. It causes severe diarrhea and death in suckling pigs and milder diarrhea in older pigs. Any sudden onset of unusual diarrhea should be investigated immediately by a veterinarian.

If you suspect your pigs may be infected, contact your veterinarian or the Office of Alberta’s Chief Provincial Veterinarian at 780-427-3448.

A fourth case of PED has been confirmed in Alberta

The farm is working closely with their veterinarian, Alberta Pork and Alberta Agriculture and Forestry to contain the disease.

All producers in Alberta are advised to increase their biosecurity.

If you suspect your pigs may be infected, contact your veterinarian or the Office of Alberta’s Chief Provincial Veterinarian.

Third case of PED deemed to be a false positive

After additional investigation and testing, the third case of PED reported in Alberta has been determined to be a false positive.

Investigation into possible explanations around these results is underway.

The fourth case of PED remains confirmed as positive with clinical signs apparent on the farm.

As of March 4, 2019, 3 cases of PED have been confirmed in Alberta:

• January 7
• February 21
• March 1

A third and fourth case of PED has been confirmed in Alberta

The farm has stopped movement of all pigs, full bio-containment has been implemented and it is working closely with their veterinarian, Alberta Pork and Alberta Agriculture and Forestry to contain the disease.

All producers in Alberta are advised to increase their biosecurity at this time.

A second case of PED has been confirmed

The producer and the herd veterinarian are working closely with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Alberta Pork and their processor.

Pig traffic to and from the site has been stopped and enhanced biosecurity is being implemented. An investigation into the source of the virus has begun.

In Alberta, PED is a provincially reportable disease, which means that producers or veterinarians must notify the Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian of all suspected or confirmed cases. There is no human health risk with PED.

PED is a highly contagious, viral disease in pigs. PED causes severe diarrhea and death in suckling pigs and milder diarrhea in older pigs. Any sudden onset of unusual diarrhea should be investigated immediately by a veterinarian.

We do not expect any market access implications as a result of this finding.

If you suspect your pigs may be infected, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Office of Alberta's Chief Provincial Veterinarian at 780-427-3448.

PED update

Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, in partnership with Alberta Pork, continues to investigate the first case of PED in Alberta. The latest information continues to suggest that the incident is limited to one farm with no evidence of spread off of the farm. Samples from the environmental sampling surveillance program at high-swine traffic sites continue to be negative for PED.

The pork industry in Alberta is to be commended for their biosecurity efforts, which have kept this disease contained to one farm. However, as has been stated long prior to this detection, it's important to keep up those biosecurity practices and consider that at any time, any high-swine traffic site could be positive.

The investigation into possible sources continues, but, as in previous outbreaks, there may be an inability to definitively identify a source.

At this point, animals have still not left the farm since detection of the disease. Several visits have taken place by the herd veterinarian and ministry veterinarians and all animals are in good condition with sufficient space. Animals were also observed for ongoing signs of illness and sampling is being conducted to determine whether the animals are still infectious. Based on results obtained thus far, supervised animal shipments may resume in the coming week with negligible risk of disease spread or concern for welfare during transportation.

The ongoing support of all stakeholders is appreciated as we continue to work together towards resolving this incident for the best interest of all producers and industry partners.

PED update

On January 7, 2019, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry confirmed the first-ever case of PED in Alberta.

Since then, the farm and the farm veterinarian have worked closely with Alberta Pork and Alberta Agriculture and Forestry to manage the disease. Enhanced biosecurity measures are in place for the entire premises to reduce the risk of the virus leaving the site. Since the finding was confirmed, no pigs from the affected farm have been marketed to slaughter or assembly sites in Alberta and there are no plans to do so.

The investigation is ongoing. All pig traffic in and out of the site has been traced and no transport links have been identified as potential sources. All environmental surveillance testing from high-traffic pig sites in Alberta, such as assembly sites, abattoirs and truck washes, are still negative.

To date, no other cases of PED have been identified in Alberta.

Alberta Agriculture and Forestry will continue to work with Alberta Pork, pork producers, swine veterinarians, and other pork industry stakeholders to investigate this case and prevent further spread of the virus.

If you suspect your pigs may be infected, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Office of Alberta's Chief Provincial Veterinarian at 780-427-3448.

A case of PED has been confirmed

In Alberta, PED is a provincially reportable disease, which means that producers or veterinarians must notify the Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian of all suspected or confirmed cases. There is no human health risk with PED.

PED is a highly contagious, viral disease of pigs that has not previously been detected in Alberta. PED causes severe diarrhea and death in suckling pigs and milder diarrhea in older pigs. Any sudden onset of unusual diarrhea should be investigated immediately by a veterinarian.

It has been detected in other provinces including Ontario and Manitoba as well as several states in the United States. For the past 5 years, the Alberta government and its stakeholders have successfully kept this disease out of Alberta.

Alberta Agriculture and Forestry will continue to work with Alberta Pork, pork producers, swine veterinarians, and other pork industry stakeholders to investigate this case and prevent further spread of the virus.

We do not expect any market access implications as a result of this finding.

If you suspect your pigs may be infected, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Office of Alberta's Chief Provincial Veterinarian at 780-427-3448.

PED virus detected at pig-handling facility in Alberta

During the ongoing surveillance activities being conducted in partnership between the Alberta government and the pork industry, the PED virus has been detected at a pig-handling facility in Alberta. This environmental sample was not taken from a farm or a sick animal. There are no reported cases of PED in pigs in Alberta.

The positive sample was taken from an office space. Other samples taken in high pig-traffic areas at the same site, such as the loading dock and scales, came back negative.

Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development is working closely with the facility and the pork industry to investigate the situation and to keep producers informed. Together with the pork industry, we have been preparing for the possibility of PED. A plan is in place to reduce the risk of the spread of the disease, investigate and manage the situation.

This positive test serves as a reminder to producers that any high pig-traffic site or vehicle could potentially be contaminated with PED or Swine delta coronavirus, at any time. Producers must work closely with their livestock hauler to ensure all trucks are cleaned, disinfected and dried every time before entering a farm.

Other biosecurity measures, such as requiring clean boots and clothing for all barn visitors and cleaning and disinfecting load-out areas, should also be strictly enforced.

Contact your veterinarian if you have questions about biosecurity for your premises.

Notice for veterinarians and pork producers

PED is a highly contagious, viral disease of pigs that does not currently occur in Alberta, but is present in the United States. PED causes severe diarrhea and death in suckling pigs and milder diarrhea in older pigs. Any sudden onset of unusual diarrhea should be investigated immediately by a veterinarian.

Due to the economic harm that it could cause to the pork industry if it spreads to Alberta, effective January 20, 2014, I am declaring PED as a reportable disease in the Province of Alberta under the authority of Section 3(b) of the Animal Health Act.

As of January 20, 2014, all known or suspect cases of PED occurring in Alberta must be reported to the Chief Provincial Veterinarian within 24 hours. Contact 780-427-3448 during regular business hours or after hours to report.

Transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) causes very similar symptoms to PED. It is also reportable in Alberta, although there will be no government response to TGE cases. Lab testing is necessary to confirm the presence of either TGE or PED.

Making PED a reportable disease will help minimize the risk of the disease becoming established in Alberta. The Alberta response will be guided by the Alberta Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea and Transmissible Gastroenteritis Disease Control Plan. In accordance with this plan, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development will provide support to the industry by:

• testing samples for PED at our lab
• coordinating the Alberta response for the first few cases, if PED is found in the province
• communicating with stakeholders
• working with local veterinarians to provide advice on implementation of biosecurity and disease control measures for affected premises

Because PED does not affect food safety, public health, or other types of animals, the plan does not call for quarantining farms or placing movement controls. The Alberta government will not pay compensation for disease control measures or losses associated with the disease.

If you would like a copy of the plan or have any questions, contact the Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian at 780-427-3448.