During the 2014 National Association of Farm Broadcasting annual meeting, Taylor spoke with Dr. Lisa Becton, Director of Swine Health, Information & Research for the National Pork Board, about PEDv and it’s impact on the U.S. swine industry. They also discuss the research currently being conducting to combat this epidemic.
“It’s been a very challenging few months. PEDv was first identified in the national swine herd in May 2013. Since that time it has spread to 31 different states across the U.S. encompassing the majority of swine producing states. Currently we have about 8,800 cases which counts the producers who submit samples to a diagnostic lab. We have that information, as well as USDA’s coronavirus disease information which keeps track of whats going on in the U.S.”
Dr. Becton said they know it’s still active. The summer was calm with little infection however, going into the winter months they are unsure what is going to happen and is something they are very concerned about.
To date, Dr. Becton said the National Pork Board has funded about 45 different projects focusing on the control of PEDv. “We have learned about the virus itself, how it transfers, how it impacts the pigs, how we can use disinfection and even how it develops immunity in the sow.”
This fast moving virus took producers by surprise, listen to the complete interview to learn more about the virus and what the National Pork Board has to done to educate the producer and consumer. Interview with Dr. Lisa Becton, National Pork Board