Kansas State University

MANHATTAN -- Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, or PEDV, has been confirmed in the U.S., and the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Kansas State University is ready to accept samples for diagnostic testing.

Laboratory testing is the only known way to diagnose the virus. The diagnostic laboratory has assembled a team of virologists, molecular diagnosticians and pathologists to rapidly identify the virus.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed last week that the virus had been found for the first time in the U.S. The virus is a production-related disease and is associated with outbreaks of diarrhea and vomiting in swine, similar to transmissible gastroenteritis virus. Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus only affects pigs and is not zoonotic, so it poses no threat to humans or food safety.

Cases of the pig disease have been confirmed in Indiana and Iowa. Although these are the first cases in the U.S., the virus exists in many parts of the world -- including a mild form in Europe and a severe form in China.

"Emergence of this disease in our naive pig population has the potential for significant economic impact," said Kelli Almes, veterinary pathologist and director of client services at the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. "Timely recognition of clinical signs with confirmatory diagnostic testing will be critical for our veterinary community and the producers they serve. "

The Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is working closely with swine veterinarians to proactively monitor and track disease in the field. The laboratory provides high-quality diagnostic testing and is the only laboratory in the state of Kansas to be accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians.

Producers are encouraged to work with their veterinarians, who can send samples to KSVDL, 1800 Denison Ave., Manhattan, KS 66506. These samples should be shipped in the same manner as all other diagnostic specimens while being diligent about adequate biosecurity and disinfection, which is imperative to prevent spread of this virus.  For questions, contact the laboratory at 866-512-5650 or email at clientcare@vet.k-state.edu.

Almes has developed a fact sheet with more information about the virus and control of the disease. The fact sheet can be viewed on the diagnostic laboratory website under the "News and Videos" section at www.ksvdl.org.