A new study suggests airborne transmission should be considered a potential route for Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus. SDSU Extension Swine Specialist Dr. Bob Thaler says that presents challenges for producers trying to deal with the disease. He says although PEDV has been in the U.S. for a year and a half, it’s still a relatively new disease that researchers are learning more about every day.
Thaler says PED and PRRS are both airborne viruses and producers have taken steps with PRRS that possibly could be used with PED.
He says now producers who have enhanced their biosecurity because of PED virus now have to increase that even more because it is airborne.
The recent study published in Veterinary Research indicated presence of infectious PEDV in the air from experimentally infected pigs and genetic material of PEDV was detected up to 10 miles downward from naturally infected farms.