June 20, 2014
Outbreak of PEDv in US may climb in autumn 2014
Outbreaks of the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv) could escalate during autumn 2014, with a fatality rate of another 2.5 million pigs over the next 12 months, thus sparking a rise in pork prices, Reuters reported US veterinarians as saying.
The virus has already killed an estimated eight million pigs which is about 10% of the US herd, and caused an increase of retail pork prices to all-time highs of around US$4.10/pound since it first was discovered in the US in April 2013. Prices could reach US$4.64 by December, said Ricky Volpe, an economist for the USDA.
In addition, the most recent data from the USDA showed that there were 7,250 confirmed PEDv cases. The number of new cases reported under a voluntary monitoring system slowed to 138 in the week ending June 7 from 142 in the week ending May 25, and 158, the prior week.
In June 2014, the USDA has ordered farmers to report new cases and pledged US$26 million to fight outbreaks.
However, despite assurances from US Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsack, that the nation is likely "on the other side" of the disease due to approval of a vaccine made available to farmers, concerns persist about the expected jump in infections of the swine virus.
While Harrisvaccines, an Iowa-based company, has developed the vaccine approved by USDA this month, Joel Harris, head of sales and marketing, said there were uncertainties about how much the vaccine will control PEDv in cold weather.
"There could be situations where the virus could overwhelm the immunity of the herd," he said.
The spread of PEDv, which thrives in cold and damp conditions, has slowed due to warmer temperatures after peaking in February. Although the USDA stated that the virus does not threaten humans or food safety, a fresh outbreak could mean millions of dollars more in losses for local pig farmers and further disruption to international trade. Export markets such as China, Russia and Japan have restricted imports of live US pigs due to PEDv.
From July 2014 to June 2015, another 2.5 million pigs could die, said Dale Polson, a senior veterinarian for pharmaceutical company, Boehringer Ingelheim.
Immunity in pigs and the control of transmission have greater potential than the new vaccine to control the death toll, he explained.
"Vaccines can serve a purpose of boosting existing immunity," Polson added. "The degree to which they''re capable of doing so is a bit of a black box."
Meanwhile, the National Pork Board is urging researchers to quickly work on preventing a strong resurgence of PEDv during autumn.
Some pig herds have been affected by repeat infections, which was not expected. While it is currently known that the virus is transmitted through pig feces, animal feed may also be a factor.
"We (the US) are losing market share. The EU sellers have this and Australia."