In the latest installment
of the factory farming industry’s breeding-deadly-diseases saga, scientists
have identified a new strain of the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv), one
that is just as virulent as the original
strain.
Spread from pig
to pig via infected feces, which cover just about every surface of unsanitary
farm facilities, PEDv is nearly 100 percent fatal and has claimed the lives of
at least 8 million animals (about 10 percent of the U.S. pig population) since
it was discovered in 2013.
Researchers
believe the new form of the virus mutated to outpace any immunity pigs
developed to the first strain. Filthy conditions on factory farms have fanned
the flames and allowed the disease to spread to epidemic proportions.
Even if the millions
of PEDv victims had survived the disease, they would have been slaughtered only
weeks or months later to satisfy people’s appetites for ham, bacon, and other
pork products.
You can spare pigs from
both deadly diseases and needless slaughter by choosing a compassionate vegan
diet. Recipes, meal plans, and health tips on ChooseVeg.com can help you get started.