Dr.
Scott Dee of South Dakota has confirmed that viral diseases can be transmitted
via feed, including feed imported from countries thousands of miles away.
That’s
likely how Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus arrived in the United States; the
first PED strain was 99.8 percent similar to a strain found in China, Dee said.
“I am
quite convinced of that,” he said.
Ontario’s
pork industry is also convinced that PED came from the United States via blood
plasma purchased by Grand Valley Fortifiers of Cambridge as an ingredient in
rations for piglets.
Of
great concern is that China and other countries have Foot and Mouth, Hog
cholera, Pseudorabies, and extremely virulent strains of Porcine Respiratory
Reproductive Syndrome (PRRS).
Dee conducted
his research at the Pipestone Applied Research, Pipestone Veterinary Services,
South Dakota State University (SDSU) and Swine Health Information Center (SHIC).
“Via
simulation, we’ve shown for the first time that viral pathogens can move from
country to country through feed imports from countries of high risk to
countries without the disease,” Dee said in a news release.
