Posted April 18, 2014
USDA is considering the option of mandatory reporting for outbreaks of the deadly pig virus, Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv), according to an article by Reuters available here. Ag Week also reported on the story here.
The virus has already spread to 30 states and has “killed millions of baby pigs since it was first detected in the United States a year ago.” PEDv has a nearly 100 percent mortality rate for piglets. The virus does not affect humans.
Currently, the veterinarians’ association has been publishing data on a weekly basis from voluntary reports. Tom Burkgren, executive director of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, said it may be too late for mandatory reporting to have a significant impact.
“You’ve got a very widely distributed disease,” said Burkgren. “At this point in the outbreak, I think we’d have to see some really good reasons to start reporting it.”
Mandatory reporting is already used for viruses including African swine fever and foot-and-mouth disease.
For more information on agricultural biosecurity, please visit the National Agricultural Law Center’s website here.
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