A single PED outbreak in southern Alberta in February is testament to how following disease protocol can limit the spread of disease, said Alberta Pork’s Quality Assurance and Production manager.
“It was caught very early,” said Javier Bahamon, of the confirmed case of porcine epidemic diarrhea. At the end of March, it continued to be an isolated case with no other suspect cases reported in Alberta.
Bahamon said he and other officials were notified immediately when the disease was suspected and confirmed by the provincial laboratory Feb. 21 and Alberta’s disease protocol was set in motion.
“Since then they have been following all the procedures we already established. The farm is fully contained and no animals are getting out or in. We talk on a weekly basis with the farm and the vet. The animals are good now. The disease has passed through and the farm has done the cleaning and disinfecting,” said Bahamon.
When PED was suspected, samples were taken of feed, feces and everything that entered the farm that could have potentially brought in the virus.
“It is an investigation that takes a look at every single aspect of the disease. They go through their records, look at the last time they moved feed, bulk ingredients or who was at the farm. There is plenty of material accessed during the suspect phase.”
A buffer zone around the farm was also established and the two closest hog barns notified.
“They were very good at following instructions and protocol. I think that is why it is so successful there is just one farm, an isolated case.”
Through the investigation, contaminated feed ingredients or equipment is suspected as the possible source of the infection.
“There is obviously a concern when something like this happens.”
Bahamon said the barn is now in its recovery phase. The animals have gotten stronger, cleaning and disinfecting of every room has begun and testing for the virus after cleaning has begun.
“As soon as there are two consecutive negatives the pigs will move to the abattoirs,” he said.
“It is a long process for us to declare the premise negative again. It will happen in the next three or four months.” •
— By Mary MacArthur