To provide pork producers and veterinarians the practical management protocols and a comprehensive information resource to help them achieve more effective prevention and control of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. (BIVI) introduced SOURCE, a six-step systematic approach to PEDV prevention and control.

According to Greg Cline, technical manager for enteric disease products at BIVI, SOURCE features one of the industry's most complete information resources on PEDV. It was developed based on the company's decades of experience and extensive research with other highly infectious swine diseases.

"SOURCE is a logical, science-based approach to PEDV control and management. This approach and its principles have proven highly effective in helping the industry manage other costly swine diseases," Cline said.

SOURCE is an acronym, with each letter representing one of six steps in the protocol: State desired goals; Obtain current status; Understand current risk factors; Reduce risk factors; Construct solutions, and Execute and monitor solutions.

Each step helps producers to objectively evaluate all components of their production systems, assess various risk factors and, based on that information, develop and execute proper management solutions that best fit their farm goals, BIVI said.

SOURCE also is a consolidated information resource that utilizes BIVI's extensive swine technical and diagnostic expertise. The site includes links to additional university and industry sites and an interactive risk analysis and herd management plan. Because the site is an always-evolving information platform, any new PEDV data and information will be shared as it becomes available.

The company has plans to expand SOURCE later this year to include expanded risk analysis and links to additional resources.

Information on PED SOURCE can be found at www.PEDreSOURCE.com.