Transmission of PRRSV by non-porcine vectors and formites

1. Contaminated needles, boot, and coveralls can transmit PRRSV.
2. Farm personnel do not serve as carriers of PRRSV unless visibly contaminated with blood from infected pigs.
3. Aerosols did not transmit PRRSV over distances of 1-30 meters.
4. Mosquitoes and houseflies can mechanically transmit PRRSV, but do not serve as biological vectors of the virus.
5. PRRSV resides in the intestinal tract of the mosquito and the housefly for up to 6 and 12 hours respectively, but not on the exterior surface of either species.
6. Migratory waterfowl (Mallard ducks) cannot be infected with PRRSV and cannot spread the virus to pigs via the feces.
7. Contaminated transport vehicles and shipping containers (plastic, metal, styrofoam, cardboard) can serve as fomites for PRRSV transmission, and the survival of the virus on these fomites is significantly improved during cold weather versus warm weather.
8. PRRSV can be recovered from the concrete floors of truckwash bays during cold and warm weather.

Related publications

Otake S, Dee SA, Moon RD, Rossow KD, Trincado C, Farnham M, and Pijoan C. Survival of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in houseflies (Musca domestica) Can J Vet Res (Submitted for publication).

Otake S, Dee SA, Rossow KD, Moon RD, Trincado C, and Pijoan C. Transmission of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus by houseflies (Linneaus). Vet Rec (Accepted for publication).

Dee SA, Deen J, Rossow KD, Mahlum C, Otake S, Joo HS, and Pijoan C. Mechanical transmission of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus throughout a coordinated sequence of events during warm weather. Can J Vet Res (Accepted for publication).

Dee SA, Deen J, Rossow KD, Mahlum C, Otake S, Joo HS and C Pijoan. Mechanical transmission of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus throughout a coordinated sequence of events during cold weather. Can J Vet Res 2002 66:232-239.

Otake S, Dee SA, Rossow KD, Moon RD, and Pijoan C. Transmission of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus by mosquitoes (Aedes vexans). Can J Vet Res 2002. 66:191-195.

Otake S, Dee SA, Jacobson L, Torremorell M, and Pijoan C. Evaluation of aerosol transmission of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus under field conditions. Vet Rec 2002 150, 804-808.

Otake S, Dee SA, Rossow KD, Deen J, Joo HS, Molitor TW, and Pijoan C. Transmission of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus by fomites (boots and coveralls). Journal of Swine Health and Production 2002. 10(2): 59-65.

Otake S, Dee SA, Rossow KD, Deen J, Joo HS, Molitor TW, and Pijoan C. Transmission of PRRSV by needles. Vet Rec 2002. 150, 114-115.