LANSING – Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) State Veterinarian Dr. James Averill has added new diseases to the state’s reportable animal disease list: Novel Swine Enteric Coronavirus Diseases (SECD) causing diarrhea in Michigan pigs, including Porcine Epidemic Diarrheal Virus (PEDv) and Swine Delta Corona Virus (SDCv).
“Even though Novel SECDs are not a food safety or public health concern, swine producers, veterinarians, and laboratories are to report to MDARD all positive and suspect cases,” said Averill. “Novel SECDs cause vomiting, acute watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, dehydration, and may cause death in up to 80 percent of affected suckling pigs.”
These coronaviruses spread easily, and can cause significant sickness in swine, affecting their growth, production potential, and health. PEDv has spread to 40 states and caused seven million piglet deaths.
“These viruses are having an enormous economic impact on swine producers,” Averill said. “Biosecurity is critical to reduce disease spread. Visitors, including individuals providing essential services to farms such as gas, electric, mail, and feed delivery, need to be cognizant of where they are going and where they have been so they aren’t spreading viruses between farms.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will provide assistance to state departments of agriculture, private veterinarians, and swine producers to fight these viruses. A newly infected herd will be required to develop a herd plan in conjunction with their veterinarian. Herd plans are to include:
1. Disease monitoring
2. Biosecurity practices to reduce disease spread
3. Record keeping of animal movement
“Since Novel SECDs are now reportable to the state veterinarian, we can offer services through MDARD to promote biosecurity and help control these devastating illnesses,” stated Averill.
The Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health at Michigan State University is part of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network.
Source: MDARD