Porcine epidemic diarrhea and porcine deltacoronavirus

Porcine epidemic diarrhea and porcine deltacoronavirus are contagious diseases that attack the digestive system of pigs exclusively. They are caused by coronaviruses.  

These diseases do not spread to other animals or to humans.

Porcine epidemic diarrhea and porcine deltacoronavirus only affect pigs.

Signs of the disease depend on the age of the infected animal.  

Porcine epidemic diarrhea

For porcine epidemic diarrhea, the following signs can be observed:

• Severe diarrhea
• Loose stool
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Death

The disease can affect pigs of all ages, but the mortality rate is higher among piglets and can reach 100% in unweaned piglets.

Porcine deltacoronavirus

Sows seem to be the most severely affected by porcine deltacoronavirus. In gestation barns, diarrhea generally appears suddenly. In the most severe cases, the disease can lead to sow death.

Sows with the following signs need special attention:

• Weakness
• Loss of appetite
• Watery diarrhea
• Vomiting and dehydration

In piglets, the virus can cause diarrhea of various intensity that is often self-limiting. Piglets are less affected by diarrhea than their mothers, but they can waste away due to insufficient breastfeeding from sick sows. Therefore, porcine deltacoronavirus should be included in the differential diagnosis if piglets have diarrhea or are weak or stunted.

The mortality rate in nursing piglets is variable and is twice the regular rate.

The disease is transmitted when healthy pigs come into contact with infected pigs. It spreads quickly in gestation facilities and generally appears several days later in farrowing rooms.

The infection can also happen indirectly, during transportation. Healthy pigs may contract it when they come into contact with vehicles that were used to transport infected animals.

Pigs can also be infected when they come into contact with contaminated surfaces or material, including feed.

Soiled clothing and shoes from visitors or other people who go where pigs are found can also contribute to spreading the virus.

The incubation period before symptoms appear is generally two to four days.

Consuming pork products

Pork products can be safely consumed, because these viruses do not spread to other animals or humans.

There is currently no treatment for porcine epidemic diarrhea or porcine deltacoronavirus.

Farmers, slaughterhouse staff, transporters and managers of assembly centres must take preventive measures.

Information on biosecurity for porcine epidemic diarrhea  is available on the website of Éleveurs de porcs du Québec (French only). Find out more about biosecurity and animal transportation  on the website of the Centre du développement du porc du Québec (French only).

In Québec, the Réseau porcin (French only) conducts swine influenza surveillance. Veterinarians submit samples for analysis from any pigs showing signs of the disease.

The Réseau sends notices to veterinarians when a case of porcine epidemic diarrhea or porcine deltacoronavirus is detected. The purpose of these notices is to ensure veterinarians look out for clinical cases caused by these viruses and to encourage early detection.

Veterinarians who suspect a case can collect samples and submit them for free to the Laboratoire de santé animale (French only).

Immediate declaration of the diseases

Laboratory directors are required to declare any test results confirming either of these diseases. This will increase surveillance and allow for a rapid response if a case is reported.

Incidence timeline

Porcine epidemic diarrhea first appeared in North America in 2013, when a case was detected in the United States. The disease is present in different Canadian provinces and is rarely detected in Québec.

Porcine deltacoronavirus was discovered in Hong Kong. The first cases in Québec were detected in 2019.