Special Report

Pork Board veterinarian discusses PEDV outbreak

The USDA has confirmed that porcine epidemic diarrhea virus—called PEDV for short—has been identified in the U.S. for the first time through testing at the National Veterinary Service Laboratory.

Dr. Lisa Becton, director of swine health information and research for the National Pork Board, tells Brownfield the virus has been confirmed in herds in Iowa and Indiana, but the severity of the outbreak is not yet known.

Becton says PEDV is similar to transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE), another disease only affecting pigs. She says it is not zoonotic, so therefore it poses no risk to other animals or humans.

PEDV is not a trade-restricting disease and does not affect pork safety.  Becton emphasizes that pork remains completely safe to eat.

AUDIO: Lisa Becton (6:28 MP3)

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