Delta coronavirus

The diarrhea caused by deltacoronavirus is similar to porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) but at a very low severity.

Alternative names: Deltacoroavirus, Delta corona virus

The diarrhea caused by deltacoronavirus is similar to porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) but at a very low severity. The virus damages the villi in the gut and thus reduces the absorbing surface, leading to fluid loss and dehydration. Antibodies from colostrum protect piglets.

Acute outbreaks occur when piglets are from 3 to 5 weeks old, and mortality varies widely. Its clinical presentation is similar to that of other coronaviruses (PED and TGE).

Sows

• Varies from a mild (consistency similar to cow feces) to very watery diarrhea.
• Loose stools.
• Vomiting.

Nursing piglets

• Diarrhea.
• Vomiting.
• Dehydration.
• Mortality can be high especially in piglets less than 14 days old.

Nursery and fattening

• Acute watery diarrhea without blood or mucus.
• Low mortality.
• Vomiting.

• The disease can spread as new, susceptible pigs enter into the fattening stage farm or sow farm.
• The disease is usually seen only when the virus first enters the farm, especially after PED.

Suspected by clinical signs, but cannot be differentiated from TGE and PED. The presence of the organism is confirmed by PCR. 

• Because it is a viral infection there is no specific treatment.
• Very good biosecurity on the farm must be maintained.
• If the virus enters the farm for the first time it is important to make sure that all adult animals are infected at the beginning to allow immunity to develop. This can be achieved by exposing the sows through drinking water by mixing diarrhea or contaminated material in a bucket with water and using it as a source of infection.
• The growing pig normally recovers without treatment unless there are concurrent diseases such as swine dysentery. In such cases it may be necessary to use antibiotics in the water or preventive medications in the feed.
• All in / all out systems with disinfectants often break the disease cycle.
• The virus is easily eliminated by phenolic disinfectants, with chlorine, peroxides, aldehydes or iodophores.