Arizona has become the 27th state to report confirmed cases of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDv) in pig herds. The highly contagious disease has killed more than 4 million U.S. pigs since 2013.
Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus, a highly contagious and deadly pig disease has affected more than half of all states.[/caption]
PEDv, which does not affect humans and is not a food safety risk, kills pigs through dehydration. More than 80 percent of piglets that contract the virus die.
The National Pork Board says new funds have been earmarked for research to halt the spread of the disease. Those funds include $650,000 from the Pork Checkoff, a fund created by producers who contribute $0.40 contribution for every $100 of pork sold; and $500,000 through an new agreement with Genome Alberta as the virus is also affecting herds in Canada.
“This has become one of the most serious and devastating diseases our pig farmers have faced in decades,” said Karen Richter, a Minnesota producer who is president of the National Pork Board. “While it has absolutely no impact on food safety, it has clear implications for the pork industry in terms of supplying pork to consumers. Our No. 1 priority is to address PEDv.”
