0
Due to the severity of the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED) virus, the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Inspection Health Service (USDA/APHIS) organized an international meeting to share information and experiences of PED among veterinarians, epidemiologists, researchers and analysts working in international, governmental, non-governmental and the private sector related to swine health. The main objectives of the Swine Enteric Coronavirus Diseases (SECD) International Meeting, held in Chicago, Illinois from 23 to 25 September 2014, were to review the risk factors and the pathways of introduction and spread of PED as well as discuss its impacts and the strategies needed to control it.
Around 150 participants came together, with speakers presenting on individual country’s experiences followed by recommendations to prevent the introduction and spread of the virus into pig farms. One of the main strategies for curbing the spread of emerging diseases is to stop the virus from being introduced into non-infected areas.
Three main methods to do so were stressed at the meeting:
- the need for rapid identification of disease foci;
- the need to raise awareness among stakeholders with the participation of the private sector; and
- using recommended biosecurity measures.
Some countries, including Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Thailand, also shared their experience of using social media tools such as brochures and radio to raise public awareness on the disease.
Monday, October 13, 2014/ FAO.
http://www.fao.org
