Deadly pig virus numbers rise in U.S. hog herd

(Reuters) – Confirmed cases of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus increased by 296 in the week ended March 15, bringing the total number to 4,757, according to data released on Thursday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN). The U.S. and Canadian hog industries have recently developed partnerships to research what role, if any, feed or feed ingredients have had in the transmission of PEDv, the National Pork Board said earlier this week. While one case can represent an individual animal or an entire herd at a single site, hog industry analysts estimate PEDv has killed an estimated 5 million U.S. hogs since it was discovered in May 2013. “Unfortunately it has spread rapidly this winter, especially here in Ohio,” said Duane Stateler, Ohio Pork Council president and hog producer with a 7,200 head operation.