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Home > News and Publications > Facts and Information > Critical Diseases Affecting Food Animals > PRRS Eradication

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PRRS Eradication


Pigs

Eradication of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome

At this time, elimination of PRRS virus from infected farms is possible by 4 primary methods:

1.Whole herd-depopulation/repopulation

2.Test and removal

3.Herd closure and rollover

4.Production of negative pigs from positive sows

Advantages and disadvantages of each method are as follows:

1.Whole herd depopulation repopulation

Advantages: 

High degree of efficacy

Solves multiple disease problems at the same time

Results in genetic improvement

Vast experience of veterinary industry

Disadvantages:   

Costly

Requires multiple sites for off-site breeding of new clean stock and finishing out of diseased pigs

Re-infection can occur during repopulation process

2.Test and Removal

Advantages: 

High degree of efficacy

Low risk, due to speed of the testing process

Disadvantages:  

Testing cost can be high if ELISA and PCR are used to test sera

Requires removal of exposed breeding animals

Feasible only in herds with low (<10%) seroprevalence in breeding herd

3.Herd closure and rollover

Advantages:  

Initial efficacy appears promising

Does not require excessive testing or removal of breeding animals

Disadvantages: 

Requires off site breeding facilities

Requires a long time to complete

Relies on consistent natural exposure of all replacement gilts and a lack of PRRSV transmission in the breeding herd over time

Questionable if this can be accomplished in all cases

4.Production of negative pigs from positive sows

Advantages:  

Preserves genetics

Can improve overall health status of offspring through the use of medication or specific vaccinations

Improvements in health and performance of offspring can be significant

Disadvantages:  

Transmission of PRRSV from dam to offspring can result in production of infected batches of weaners



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