New Truck Disinfection Process Prevents Disease When Transporting Livestock

By Jordi Tordera

In the spring of 2009, the H1N1 virus, also known as Swine flu, spread across the world. In June that same year, WHO declared it the first flu pandemic in 41 years, and studies published by experts of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) estimate the death toll during the first year of the pandemic was between 151,000 and 575,000.

In May 2013,  PEDV (Porcine epidemic diarrhea Virus) was identified in swine for the first time in the United States. The virus, which was almost 100% lethal in piglets, and which spread across a large region, was 99% genetically similar to isolates from China, but it is unknown what the source of entry in the United States was.

Whatever the cause, epidemics like these represent billions in losses worldwide. History has taught us that prevention and control are key to avoid them, and contaminated livestock trailers represent one of the highest risks.