The Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus has now been discovered in Alberta.  It’s the first case of the virus in the province and was found on a 400-head hog operation.

So far, Saskatchewan has not had any animals affected.

General Manager of Sask Pork, Neil Ketilson says biosecurity protocols are key.

“So, we have to be really vigilant all the time. High on the biosecurity to make sure that every one of those trucks coming onto the property is clean. It’s also important to make sure that the people that come onto the properties for various services are very aware not to bring the disease onto the property. Hats off to the producers, they’ve really done an excellent job and a lot of them have spent a lot of money to maintain their health status.”

P-E-D effects pigs but poses no threat to human health.

The first Canadian P-E-D case was in Ontario in 2014 and has since been reported in Manitoba, Quebec and P-E-I.