Virus Kills 7,000 Minn. Pigs

GOOD THUNDER, Minn. (WCCO) - An illness that only affects pigs is making its way across the Midwest, including here in Minnesota.

The Porcine Epidemic Virus (P.E.D.) killed more than 7,000 pigs at a facility near Good Thunder last December.

Pork producers say newborn piglets are most susceptible, and it's always fatal.

The virus' devastation cost the facility about $500,000.

Hog farmer Michael Sohre says there are ways to help stop the spread.

"Disinfecting your boots and wearing clean clothes and, you know, making sure if you need to go on somebody else's farm that you got to put boots on and disinfect your boots when you're done," Sohre said.

Pork producers say insurance does not cover the financial damage, meaning farmers aren't being reimbursed for the money lost after their pigs die.