The Canada West Swine Health Intelligence Network advises pork producers of the potential risks of spreading Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea when applying infected manure and take appropriate precautions. 
In 2019 the number of cases of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea peaked in Manitoba at over 80 cases before brought under control and dropping off dramatically in 2020. 
The CWSHIN just-released report on Swine Health Surveillance for the first quarter shows the period from January to March of 2021 was one of the quietest on record. 
Manager Dr. Jette Christensen said during the quarterly conference call with veterinarians several weeks back; the participants discussed practical tips for keeping the swineherd healthy.  
“The PED situation in Manitoba, for instance is, knock on wood, very good with no active cases, but from April to June, we usually see new cases popping up.” 
During this high-risk season, it is important to remind everybody working in the swine sector that infected manure is a possible route of transmission of PED. Take extra care and precautions when spreading this infected manure typically comes from lagoons of farms with pigs infected with PED in the last couple of years. 
Research by the University of Manitoba and the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute showed the virus responsible for PED could survive in stored manure for long periods. The infectivity values of that manure will vary, with the lowest values at the top of the storage increasing more towards the bottom. 
In the same report, the CWSHIN warned Canadian pork producers of the risks of a new Streptococcus zooepidemicus first identified in 2019.  
Dr. Christensen said they identified this strain in only five barns in Canada and several culled sow shipments going to the assembly yards or detected upon arrival at the slaughter plants. 
“This particular strain of Streptococcus zooepidemicus can cause high mortalities in sows, 10 to 20 percent mortality.”   
So far, it seems only one clone, but recently, a new clone or a potential new strain surfaced in Indiana. 

As always for producers in Canada, it’s a risk when shipping animals to the U.S. because those vehicles come back and becomes a risk for introducing this new strain. For other diseases such as PRRS coming back with these vehicles so tightening up biosecurity is a must. Producers must wash to avoid bringing something back with contaminated vehicles and equipment from the U.S. 
The report said the three isolates identified in Indiana are genetically distant and independent from isolates found in Ohio and Tennessee, indicating a need for further studies. 
The CWSHIN first-quarter report also identified and advised producers that early cross-fostering of newborn piglets can help reduce their potential exposure to the bacteria responsible for Greasy Pig Disease. This bacterial infection affects the skin of the pig. The primary cause is Staphylococcus hyicus known to colonize the skin of pigs without causing infection. 
Several vet practices reported an uptick in Greasy Pig but not noticeable in any data, but noteworthy that a few practices saw the same thing. 
“Maybe we should think about that teeth clipping isn’t happening anymore in about 70 percent of the sow herds.” 
When the competition for teats in the early ages starts and there’s fighting over that, there might be a few more facial lesions on the piglets, and they can, in turn, become infected with Staphylococcus and show up as greasy pigs. If a producer is cross-fostering, do it as early as possible to limit the competition and fighting in the litters. •
— By Harry Siemens