WHAT IS PED IN PIGS? CAUSES, SYMPTOMS, AND EFFECTIVE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED) is an acute diarrheal disease in pigs caused by a Coronavirus. The disease spreads rapidly and has a high mortality rate. In this article, Fivevet shares the causes, clinical signs, diagnosis, and effective prevention and treatment measures. 1. Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED)
a. Classification
The virus causing Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PEDV – Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus) is classified into Group 1, genus Coronavirus, family Coronaviridae.
PEDV is closely related to other coronaviruses, including the virus causing Transmissible Gastroenteritis in pigs (TGEV), Feline coronavirus, Canine coronavirus, and Human coronavirus strain 229E.
Based on gene sequencing results, PEDV is most closely related to Human coronavirus strain 229E and Transmissible Gastroenteritis Virus (TGEV).
b. Morphology and Structure of PEDV
PEDV is an enveloped virus with a single-stranded RNA genome.
Based on phylogenetic analysis of the complete genome, PEDV strains are classified into two main groups: classical strains and emerging strains.
PEDV has only one serotype.
In Europe, PEDV1 strains mainly infect pigs during the growing phase, whereas PEDV2 strains are capable of causing disease in pigs of all ages, including adult sows.
c. Resistance of PEDV
PEDV is sensitive to ether and chloroform.
At temperatures ≥ 60°C, the virus is inactivated within 30 minutes, while at 50°C it remains relatively stable.
PEDV is also relatively stable at 4°C within a pH range of 4–9, or at 37°C with a pH range of 6.5–7.5.
2. Epidemiology
a. Susceptible species
The disease occurs in pigs and can affect animals of all ages.
In many outbreaks, the morbidity rate can reach up to 100%. Mortality is highest in piglets, averaging around 50% and in some cases reaching 100%.
Mortality rates vary depending on the age of piglets:
- Piglets 0–5 days old: 100% mortality
- Piglets 6–7 days old: approximately 50% mortality
- Piglets older than 7 days: approximately 30% mortality
Adult pigs usually recover spontaneously within about one week.
b. Modes of transmission
The virus enters the pig’s body primarily via the gastrointestinal tract.
Infected pigs shed the virus into the environment through feces. In addition, contaminated farming equipment, feed, and drinking water are important sources of disease transmission.
Once a herd becomes infected, the virus may persist in the farm environment, leading to prolonged diarrhea in post-weaning pigs.
In 2013, PEDV was detected at high concentrations in boar semen, which is considered a potential source of transmission through artificial insemination.
3. Clinical Signs of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED)
The characteristic clinical signs of PED in pigs include anorexia, diarrhea, and profuse watery feces.
Suckling piglets often show reduced suckling activity, watery diarrhea with a foul odor and yellow coloration; undigested milk may be present in the feces, accompanied by vomiting. Piglets lose weight rapidly due to dehydration.
A typical sign is a decrease in body temperature; piglets often lie against the sow’s abdomen to maintain body heat. Treatment with antibiotics commonly used for diarrhea is ineffective, as PED is caused by a virus.
When outbreaks occur in breeding herds, morbidity and mortality rates vary widely. In some farms, pigs of all ages may be affected, with morbidity reaching up to 100%.
The disease presents clinical signs similar to Transmissible Gastroenteritis (TGE); however, the spread is slower, outbreaks may last 4–6 weeks, and in some cases, mortality in newborn piglets is lower.
- Piglets one week of age often die from dehydration after 3–4 days of persistent diarrhea. The average mortality rate in piglets is approximately 50%, but may reach up to 100% in severe cases.
- Adult pigs usually recover within about one week.
In farms that have experienced an acute outbreak, post-weaning pigs 2–3 weeks after weaning commonly develop diarrhea and can transmit the disease to newly introduced pigs.
In recent years, outbreaks in Europe have reported low mortality rates in neonatal piglets, whereas outbreaks in Japan and South Korea have shown very high mortality in neonatal piglets.
In fattening pigs, clinical signs are more severe than those of TGE. Affected pigs exhibit abdominal pain but usually recover after 7–10 days. Mortality ranges from 1–3%, with deaths typically occurring during the acute phase when diarrhea appears or before diarrhea becomes evident.
In pigs that die during the acute phase, necrotic lesions are often observed in the dorsal muscle region.

  4. Pathological Lesions of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED)
Lesions are mainly concentrated in the small intestine. The small intestine is distended and contains large amounts of yellowish fluid, sometimes with clots of undigested milk.
During diarrhea, the villi of the small intestine are rapidly sloughed off and shortened, leading to a marked reduction in digestive enzyme activity. The intestinal wall becomes thin and translucent. The stomach is also distended with a thin wall.
Mesenteric lymph nodes may occasionally be enlarged. 5. Diagnosis of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED)
a. Clinical diagnosis
Diagnosis is based on the following characteristic signs:
- High incidence of diarrhea in piglets
- High mortality rate, especially in piglets under 5 days of age, which may reach up to 100%
- Piglets tend to lie on the sow’s abdomen to keep warm
- Treatment with antibiotics is ineffective
b. Laboratory diagnosis
Specimens: Small intestinal samples from suspected pigs should be collected and sent to FiveLab for testing, providing rapid and highly accurate results.
For consultation and sample collection for PED detection, please contact the hotline: +84 822 120 555 or +84 377 499 555.
6. Prevention of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED)
a. Disease control
Due to the relatively slow spread of the disease, implementing measures to limit the introduction of the virus into newly farrowed herds is essential. This helps prolong the infection period so that when pigs become infected at an older age, mortality rates are lower.
- Biosecurity control:
+ Strengthen control of people and vehicles entering and leaving the farm, especially vehicles and personnel involved in pig transportation and trading.
+ Strictly disinfect people, vehicles, and farming equipment before entering and exiting the farm.
+ Maintain clean and dry housing, ensuring good ventilation in summer and adequate warmth in winter.
- Routine farm disinfection:
+ Periodically use one of the following disinfectants: Five-Iodine, Five-BGF, Five-B.K.G, Five-Perkon 3S, etc.
+ Rotate disinfectants every three months to enhance effectiveness and prevent reduced efficacy.
- Husbandry and nutrition:
+ Provide proper care and nutrition, ensuring adequate clean water and hygienic feed, and meeting nutritional requirements for each age group.
+ Keep piglets warm during the winter season.
+ Maintain appropriate stocking density to reduce the risk of disease transmission.
b. Vaccination
There are three types of vaccines: inactivated vaccines, attenuated (live) vaccines, and next-generation vaccines.
Sows should be vaccinated twice, at 4 weeks and 2 weeks before farrowing.
7. Treatment of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED)
a. General supportive measures
- Use Five-Anti Virus continuously for 30 days to help inhibit viral replication and enhance immune resistance.
- Suckling piglets: Provide free access to electrolyte solutions to prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
- Fattening pigs: Reduce high-protein feed rations to minimize digestive disturbances.
- Induce immunity in sows using the auto-vaccine method.
b. Induction of immunity in sows using auto-vaccine
- Procedure:
+ Specimens: Collect small intestines (duodenum only; jejunum and ileum may be included; do not collect the cecum) from piglets 1–5 days old showing PED symptoms, still alive, and not previously treated with medication.
+ Grind thoroughly at a ratio of 1 set of small intestines / 250 ml of clean chlorine-free water or fresh milk
(1 set of small intestines is used for 10 sows).
+ Mix the obtained suspension with 100 g of Five-Amoxcin super, stir well, and allow to stand for 20 minutes.
- Administration:
+ Feed sows 1 tablespoon per sow, mixed with feed, preferably in the afternoon.
+ After administration, sows may develop mild fever and temporary reduced appetite; provide symptomatic treatment if necessary.
- Effectiveness:
+ Time from administration to cessation of diarrhea: 6–8 days.
+ Complete recovery of sows: 18–20 days.
- Notes:
+ The prepared suspension should be stored in a refrigerator or insulated container.
+ Prepare an adequate amount of small intestine material corresponding to the number of sows to be immunized.
c. Treatment of secondary bacterial infections
- Suckling piglets:
+ Keep housing clean, dry, and warm; clean piglets with warm water.
+ Anti-vomiting and reduced intestinal motility: Inject Five-Atropin.
+ Rehydration and supportive therapy:
Intraperitoneal infusion: 5% Glucose + Five-Butasal
Or oral electrolytes: Five-No Stress Super, Five-Lyte Oral, etc.
- Antibiotics to prevent secondary infection:
+ Injection: Five-Amox@LA, Five-Trile
+ Or oral administration: Five-S.P.C drop or Five-AC.15 mixed for drinking
- Fattening pigs and weaned pigs:
+ Mix antibiotics into feed: Five-Ampicon, Five-Amoxcin super, Five-Halquinol.60.
- Weaned pigs (priority):
+ Rice porridge feed + antibiotics + Five-No Stress Super. - Injectable antibiotics: Five-Trile, Five-Enxacin@LA, Five-Doflo@ LA, etc.
- Electrolyte – probiotic – enzyme – vitamin supplementation: Five-No Stress Super, Five-Lyte Oral, Five-Prozyme 5way, Five-Lacenzym (Garlic extract), etc. Provide good care and proper nutrition for the herd to promote rapid recovery, reduce mortality rates, and minimize disease recurrence.