Transmission routes, control and prevention of PRRS

The view from te field, by Enric Marco

Given that PRRS virus infection can be considered common in areas of high pig density (as seen in a previous article), the idea that biosecurity can do little is widespread. However, given the virus wide genetic diversity, we come across farms that have been struck by more than one PRRS infection —caused by different viruses— over time. For this reason it is necessary, regardless of the herd health status, to implement proper biosecurity.

The literature review conducted by the article about our current knowledge of the virus transmission will allow us to establish the main characteristics of the biosecurity program in order for it to be effective against PRRS virus. The first step in the implementation of a disease control protocol is the correct delimitation of the farm area (clean area), contemplating specific entry and exit passageways for people, materials and animals. Additional measures will need to be applied in these entry and exit areas to reduce the risk of infection.

External Biosecurity

• Pedestrian access: The farm must have a dressing room with clearly defined clean and dirty areas. To move to the clean area, visitors will have to change clothes and shoes, and either wash their hands or wear gloves (when showers are not mandatory).
• Materials: The use of double packaging —allowing the introduction of the inner packaging only— can be sufficient to reduce the possibility that it may act as a virus vector.
• Genetic material reception: (Either animals or doses of semen). The best way to ensure a new strain of PRRS virus is not introduced is to always bring in animals or doses from negative herds. If the animals introduced are gilts, they should be submitted to an adaptation period of at least 90 days in an area isolated from other livestock on the farm.
  During this time, they should be exposed to the virus via a vaccine or natural infection, giving them enough time to stop excreting the virus, thus avoiding compromising the stability of the farm when they are eventually introduced.
• Livestock transport vehicles: Ideally, cleaning and disinfection of transport vehicles needs to be controlled since, according to this article, drying them completely between loads is the best method to prevent them from becoming potential contaminants. When this is not possible (as it often happens), it is safest to regard them as dirty items and, therefore, to have a good pig-loading bay available to protect the farm.
• We know the PRRS virus can also be transmitted by insects, birds or just air. Applying filters on farms seemed a promising technique, but according to the article, they only work well when they are high quality (HEPA). However, even if an air filtration system is not available, contact with birds must at least be avoided with anti-bird netting and a routine disinsection program.

Internal Biosecurity

As well as external biosecurity (which protects us from the introduction of known or new strains of the virus), internal biosecurity measures must be implemented in positive farms. Internal biosecurity should contain virus spread within the herd, preventing transmission between different batches. To this end, hygienic use of needles and other material (specific for each batch) will be one of the key points.

Virus eradication

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) is one of the major impact diseases in modern pig production, and for this reason different systems have been developed that have proved effective in eradicating the disease: "test and removal" or "herd closure". However, given the ease with which the virus is transmitted in high density areas, these plans should always be considered collectively in these areas, and should not be too ambitious.