The path forward for PED management in Manitoba

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Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we all learned some new terms that we likely hadn’t previously been exposed to. Terms like “herd immunity” and “contact tracing,” for example. As well, there was an increased focus on where we had been, who we may have met, and how viruses travel, all of which dominated our discussions for the last several years.

In the hog sector, a different coronavirus has dominated conversations while using much of the same terminology. Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus or PED is a very contagious virus, which when found in a hog dense area, can be incredibly difficult to mitigate and eliminate. The virus is typically spread through direct contact between infected and non-infected pigs, but also by common movements through facilities, and being tracked in on clothing, boots, vehicle tires, equipment, and any other item that may have become contaminated while at an infected facility.

An exterior picture of a hog barn with blue sky and green grass

Manitoba has been dealing with a PED outbreak for the last 18 months, which has been by far the longest outbreak recorded since the disease was found in the province in 2014. When compared with previous outbreaks, new risk factors have played a significant role, including the impacts of the pandemic on labour, as well as frigid temperatures in the winter of 2021/2022 which made cleaning and disinfection very difficult. Large-scale outbreaks have occurred about every second year, with Manitoba being on its third outbreak over the past six years. This number of large-scale outbreaks is unsustainable long-term, as any outbreak comes with a significant financial loss to producers, an incredible toll on the mental health of everyone in the sector, and ultimately, a large loss of animals.

A graph of yearly PED cases in Manitoba from 2014 to 2022
*Asterisk denotes the number of confirmed cases to date

Recognizing the challenge PED poses to the industry, Manitoba Pork has formed a working group comprised of producers, veterinarians, sector stakeholders, and the provincial government to focus on the future of the virus. The group has a mandate to determine the path forward to manage the disease, assess possible mitigation strategies, determine the impact of those strategies, and provide outreach and messaging to the sector on best practices for PED moving forward. Following consultation with the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, the working group is developing a plan aimed toward the elimination of PED in the province, which has been determined to be the most logical path forward.

The goal outlined by the working group is to eliminate 96 per cent of PED infections by the year 2027. This will be done using a step-by-step process, reducing the number of infections year over year, and utilizing recommended elimination procedures, enhanced biosecurity practices, and strategies to manage immunity. Progress will be reviewed as strategies are rolled out, and the working group will be nimble to make changes as work is ongoing.

Everyone involved in agriculture has a role to play when it comes to limiting the spread of PED. While PED does not pose a risk to human health or food safety or to other animals or livestock, we can all unknowingly carry and potentially spread the disease if entering an operation where hogs are present, including mixed operations. That includes livestock transporters, seed suppliers, feed haulers, and other vital supports for those who operate barns, like gas and fuel companies, mechanics and contactors, and other inspectors.

It is incumbent on hog operations to be open and transparent about their biosecurity protocols with everybody that needs to come on their yard site, and it is just as important that anybody entering a yard site respects and upholds those biosecurity principles. That includes respecting barriers at the end of driveways, minimizing the number of entries and exits into and out of a barn, and ensuring that any changes to the health status of barns are communicated with all service providers.

Much like the COVID-19 pandemic, we must all do our part to minimize the threat of PED. Manitoba’s hog sector is taking a collaborative approach to managing this threat. By working together across the agriculture sector, the hope is that the impacts of this disease will be lessened and PED is controlled.

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