The Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus, which has killed 8 million piglets, could surge again in the fall, “likely killing another 2.5 million pigs over the next 12 months and amplifying an increase in pork prices,” says Reuters. The virus thrives in cold and damp conditions. With the arrival of warm weather, the number of cases reported each week is on the decline. At latest count, there were 7,250 confirmed cases of PEDV, says USDA.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said development of a vaccine would help control the virus. Reuters quoted Vilsack as saying, “I don’t want to say the virus will be eradicated but I think you will see we’re on the other side of this” on Wednesday in Paris.