First case of PEDv discovered in Alberta

According to a Jan. 8 disease notification from Alberta Pork, a case of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) was confirmed in the province at a 400-head hog farm. Officials with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry and Alberta Pork are investigating the cause of the outbreak and working to prevent the spread of the contagious disease, but according to reports, no quarantine boundaries have been established. While the disease can cause 100 percent mortality among young pigs, it is not considered a threat to human health or food safety. There are 735 hog farms registered in the province, according to Alberta Pork, and the emphasis of animal health officials in this or any PEDv outbreak is adherence to strict biosecurity practices to prevent the spread to other farms.