Pigs entering Idaho must be free of PEDv virus

Mar 05, 2014

BOISE – The Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) has issued an administrative order, effective immediately, requiring evidence that all swine entering the state for purposes other than shipment direct to slaughter have not been exposed to Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv).

The administrative order for swine entering Idaho now requires that the health certificate or Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) accompanying the shipment include the following statement:

“To the best of my knowledge, swine represented on this certificate have not, within the last 30 days, originated from premises known to be affected by Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv) and have not been exposed to PEDv.”

PEDv is a disease which can make adult pigs ill and can be fatal to suckling piglets. PEDv does not pose a food safety concern and is not transmissible to people or other species of animals, however, the disease can be fatal to piglets three weeks old and younger.

Over 25 states have reported cases of PEDv that have caused the death of millions of suckling piglets since it was first diagnosed in the United States last spring. The PED virus is spreadmostly through manure, so pork producers are encouraged to maintain strict biosecurity and take precautions to reduce exposure to other pigs and their manure. It is unclear how the virus entered the United States, but it appears to be spread through a range of methods, including direct contact with the manure of affected swine, manure contamination on livestock transport vehicles and also contaminated feed products.

All animals, including pigs, entering Idaho already are required to have a health certificate signed by an accredited veterinarian stating the animal is disease free. The certificate must be signed by the animal owner as well as the veterinarian.

In addition to the new PEDv statement required on all CVIs accompanying swine shipments, State Veterinarian Dr. Bill Barton has advised extension offices, 4H/FFA leaders and other swine event managers who are planning to show pigs in fairs or exhibits, to avoid unnecessary gatherings of pigs and, if possible, to weigh-in and tag the animals prior to the event to help reduce the spread of the disease

Source: ISDA

Subscribe to our Newsletters

Trending Video