- 10 minutes
- Expertise article | AASV 2008
- J Waddell , P Reid, T Holck, G Anderson G
Country: United States
Source: 2008 AASV Annual Meeting
Consistently inducing uniform population immunity among vaccinated groups of pigs is believed to be a key to the success of this comprehensive approach to PRRS control.
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) in growing pigs is estimated to cost $5.60 - $7.60 per pig sold. Experimental studies have demonstrated that modified-live PRRS virus (PRRSv) vaccines stimulate a protective immune response against heterologous PRRSv challenge in growing pigs resulting in a significant reduction of PRRS-associated lung lesions, clinical disease, and a significant improvement in average daily weight gain.
The present field study evaluated the impact of a modified-live PRRSv vaccine (Ingelvac PRRS ATP, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., St Joseph, MO) for control of naturally occurring heterologous PRRSv infection in nursery pigs as part of a comprehensive PRRS management strategy which also included improvement in needle management, transportation and biosecurity procedures.
Key points:
- Together with various management procedures, the entire populations at all breeding animal sites and growing pig sites were mass vaccinated with Ingelvac PRSS MLV.
- A significant increase in pig survival from weaning to market as well as improved ADWG for both nursery and finishing pigs was observed.
- The present field study evaluated the impact of a modified-live PRRSV vaccine for control of naturally occurring heterologous PRRSV infection in nursery pigs as part of a comprehensive PRRS management strategy.
- Vaccination with a modified-live PRRS virus vaccine prior to field virus exposure, in addition to improvements in needle management, transportation and biosecurity procedures, dramatically reduced mortality and improved performance of nursery pigs in PRRS-positive nurseries.
- Vaccinated pigs in PRRS-positive nurseries performed equally to unvaccinated pigs reared in PRRS-negative nurseries.