AASV Offers a New Tool in the Fight Against PRRS

June 19, 2006 — 

The American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) accepted ownership of the Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI) PRRS Risk Assessment Tool during the World Pork Expo.

The survey and benchmarking tool, developed by a BIVI team led by Dale Polson, DVM, Ph.D., senior manager of technical resources, evaluates risk factors associated with virus introduction and circulation on farms. Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is estimated to cost U.S. swine producers $560 million annually making it the costliest disease in swine production.

In accepting the gift, Dr. Daryl Olsen of the Audubon-Manning Veterinary Clinic in Audubon, IA and AASV president-elect, noted that although veterinarians and producers have been successful in eliminating the virus from individual herds, production flows and even localized areas, the real challenge has been preventing the re-infection of those farms. Dr. Olsen stated that "by working through the PRRS Risk Assessment questionnaire with the producer, veterinarians can identify potential facility, management and animal factors that may increase the likelihood of virus introduction or the severity of the disease."

The risk factors identified in the Risk Assessment Tool are not limited to PRRS virus, however. Many of the lessons learned by working through the questionnaire can be applied to reducing the likelihood of other disease introductions and minimizing the severity of common domestic and newly emerging diseases as well.

The AASV is currently training swine veterinarians to conduct the assessments, enter the data and interpret the results. Dr. Tom Burkgren, AASV Executive Director, indicated that "through the continued support of BI Vetmedica and the generous contributions from the National Pork Board's Pork Checkoff, the AASV plans to begin expanding the scope of the tool to include the grow/finish segment of swine production and over the next year will adapt the tool for web-based application." In addition, the Association plans to offer researchers access to the cumulative data collected to enhance future PRRS research.