Since becoming a problem in the United States a year ago, the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, or PEDV, has gradually gotten worse. According to the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, there have been over 1,500 confirmed cases of the disease in Iowa.

Ron Birkenholz, with the Iowa Pork Producers, says in the first two days PEDv is 100% deadly for pigs under three weeks old.

As the disease continues to spread across the country and impact the industry financially, organizations like the National Pork Board and Iowa Pork Producers are allocating funds toward research in the hopes of finding a solution.