PEDv becoming a notifiable disease in England

Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus will become a notifiable disease in England, effective December 18. Pig keepers and veterinarians will be legally required to inform the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) of any suspicion of the disease. The measure has been introduced by government at the request of pig industry bodies, including the National Pig Association (NPA).

If a test for PED virus proves positive, government action will be limited to informing industry, so that tracings can be carried out and improved biosecurity measures put in place. This is similar to the consensual Canadian approach to combatting the disease, which has proved effective, stated the NPA.

PED remains a significant threat to British pig-keepers. Outbreaks of high-impact strains caused up to 100 percent mortality in young pigs in the United States, knocking out around 10 percent of pig production in 2013-2014, and the disease has since spread to Ukraine. Even with milder European Union strains, piglet mortality as high as 70 percent has been reported.

NPA is calling the new measure “lightweight” notifiable because unlike with other notifiable diseases there will be no statutory movement controls, no compulsory slaughter and no blocks on exports.

Under the new legislation in England, APHA will be legally permitted to inform AHDB Pork — which is the agreed “appropriate organization” — in confidence of suspect and confirmed cases. AHDB Pork will then provide biosecurity guidance to the pig unit concerned. It will also carry out tracings and alert at-risk contacts as necessary.

The aim will be to prevent spread of PED virus and to eliminate the disease from the pig unit. There will be no requirement to slaughter affected animals.

PED virus has been made lightweight notifiable following an informal consultation process with the pig industry. NPA and others called for the measure so that any outbreak can be identified as quickly as possible, spread can be prevented, and the disease can then be eliminated from the unit concerned.

“The industry’s method of tackling the disease and ensuring it doesn't spread will be to introduce a raft of biosecurity measures,” said NPA chief executive Dr. Zoe Davies. “It worked in Canada and we are confident it will work here — as long as it is identified at the earliest possible stage.”