GUELPH — Swine Health Ontario reported four more outbreaks of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus on July 17. The four cases involved finisher barns and were located in Perth and Oxford counties. In July there have been a total of seven reported cases, and 25 since March 31, 2023.
The PED virus can affect all pigs and is often fatal to newborn pigs under seven to 10 days of age. However, it does not affect any other species, including humans, and is not a food safety issue.
On January 22, 2014, the first case of PED in Ontario was identified. Porcine Deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) – formerly referred to as “swine deltacoronavirus (SDCv)” – belongs to the same viral family as PED. The symptoms of PDCoV are indistinguishable from those of PED, although tend to be less severe than PED. On March 14, 2014, the first case of PDCoV was identified in Ontario.
Swine Health Ontario took over PED and PDCoV tracking and reporting in the province of Ontario on March 31, 2020. All information prior to March 31, 2020 is historical. Current PED and PDCoV positive cases are reported as of March 31, 2020 onwards.
