A deadly virus that’s killed millions of young pigs might become a little less damaging with the creation of a new vaccine.
The vaccine, which is produced by Iowa-based Harrisvaccines, is meant to build up a pig’s immunity to porcine epidemic diarrhea, or PED. The USDA conditionally approved the vaccine in June.
PED was first noticed in the United States in 2013 and has since spread to 30 states, killing millions of pigs, according to the American Association of Swine Veterinarians.
Nearly 400 cases have been reported in Indiana, according to the AASV.
The virus also has been partially blamed for the rising cost of bacon and pork.
The disease is almost always fatal in young and suckling pigs. A large number of the piglets died during December and January, said Chris Hurt, professor of agriculture economics at Purdue University.
“Generally, it takes about six months from the time they were born until they become part of our meat supply,” Hurt said. “We’re coming right into the period that the losses will be most affected.”
Pork prices have risen 12 percent since last May, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Economics.
Hurt said prices will probably rise another 2-to-4 percent this summer.
“The prices will continue to rise at least through September,” he said. “After that, we should have a slightly better supply of pork.”
The increase in supply will come from the expected decrease of the virus during the summer months, he said.
There could be many reasons the virus could slow down in the summer, said Roman Pogranichniy, head of virology at the Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at Purdue.
“UV lights can inactivate the virus much faster,” he said. He also cited increased inactivity in the pigs and herd immunity as other possible factors.
Hurt said in the second quarter of 2015, there should be an increase of pork supply as producers increase the number of females in their herds to produce more offspring.
The virus isn’t the only cause of high pork prices, however. The supply of beef also is very low, which is often seen as a substitute for pork, Hurt said.
To have your herd tested for PED, contact the Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in West Lafayette at 765-494-7440. The federal government will reimburse the cost of testing.