The spread of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) in piglet barns in the USA is slowing down. In the week ending July 21, 24 new cases were added compared to 33 and 34 in the previous weeks. New outbreaks range from 10 to 55 cases detected each week.
Porcine diarrhea virus (PEDv) is similar to transmissible gastroenteritis ("diarrhea"). The disease is regularly fatal for piglets under 3 weeks of age. Older animals become self-immunized.
The disease outbreaks are concentrated on the North Carolina coast, where there is a high density of pigs.
The potential loss of piglets, which would have reached slaughter maturity from mid-December to mid-January, is estimated to be between 58,000 and 95,000 pigs. Earlier estimates were even higher.
The number of animals missing amounts to 2.5 to 4.5% of the weekly slaughter volumes, a considerable figure given the tight supply situation during this period.
