Posted on 03/28/2014 1:26:21 PM PDT by Red Badger
LOGANSPORT, Ind. - A fast-moving virus that has infected hogs across half of the nation since it was first detected in the U.S. less than a year ago has become rampant in Indiana, agriculture officials say.
Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, or PED, has infected farms in 43 of Indiana's 92 counties, according to March 14 data from the Indiana State Board of Animal Health. Twenty-six other states have reported cases of the virus as of March 12, the National Animal Health Laboratory Network indicates.
While the flu-like sickness doesn't affect people and is not a food safety concern, it can kill 80 percent or more of newborn piglets.
"The pig's only source of food is the momma sow, and she's got the virus in her so it's all in her milk," Sam Moffitt, pork production manager at Kewanna-based Northwind Pork LLC, told the Logansport Pharos-Tribune.
Northwind, which operates three sow barns weaning about 250,000 pigs per year, has had to wean some piglets as young as 8 days old off their sows to keep them from dehydrating. Normally, piglets are weaned at 18 to 21 days old.
Purdue Extension veterinarian Darryl Ragland said the virus is nearly almost always fatal in pigs up until they're about a week old. Older pigs may develop diarrhea and vomiting and grow gaunt, but won't usually die, he said.
Uncertainty over losses has helped send hog futures soaring. Prices for spring and summer contracts have reached $112 per hundredweight for the March-through-August season, up from an average of $88 per hundredweight for the same period last year, Purdue data indicates.
Purdue economist Chris Hurt said the price hike might actually increase the economic returns for the nation's hog industry, at least for those farms that escape heavy losses.
PED was thought to exist only in Europe and China before states began reporting the virus in April. Officials confirmed its presence in May.
Sorry, I couldn't help myself. Poor little piggies.
Pigs have an almost human like immune system, so it could act as a go between and mutate the virus and transmit it to people.
What are the chances it can hop species?
I wouldn’t put it past the administration to infect the country’s livestock in order to cause increasing hunger then starvation, ala Stalin.
Anyone here ever have a cookout with Wild Boar?
I am generally not picky, but I would want it to be cooked extra-well done, I think
How’s it taste?
Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, sounds like a lot of fun. Thanks Red Badger.
You know. I have to admit you might be right.
Sad state of affairs that.
More likely China, that just bought up Smithfield. They could be infecting competing stock yards.
CORONA VIRUS?
SO THAT'S WHAT MADE ME SICK!...............
THIS LITTLE PIGGY CRIED WEE-WEE-WEE ALL THE WAY TO THE BATHROOM!..................
If you drink enough alcohol, it tastes fine..................
The same chances as any virus that replicates in the tens of millions. Since porcine producers are careful about sanitation within the production facilities I think the chances of mutation and a human form is NGT 1%. SARS was a respiratory mutation of a Coronavirus originated from a Civet Cat.
Kill em and start over again.
“Swine Flu”?
Kinda like spotted owl.
Wonder how this is going to affect the manufacture of natural dessicated thyroid hormone for Thyroid Cancer patients that take Armour and Nature-throid. It is from swine.
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