Zoetis has gained a conditional licence from the United
States Department of Agriculture to market a vaccine to counter Porcine
Epidemic Diarrhea virus.
The virus has killed about eight per cent of the U.S.
baby-pig population since it first showed up about 18 months ago.
It is highly infectious and deadly to piglets and difficult
to keep from spreading during cool and cold weather conditions.
Ontario has been hit hard, beginning at the end of January,
but appears to be getting on top of the virus now. There have been no more herd
outbreaks since July 21, according to the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food
and Rural Affairs.