PRRS Corner: Biosecurity Practices Vary With Pig Density

April 11, 2012 — 

Regional PRRSv elimination depends on optimization of biosecurity practices This study was designed to describe the biosecurity practices used in breeding and growing production sites located in a moderate density (MD) and a high density (HD) pig area from 2005 to 2008. Factors such as barrier at site entrance, shower, truck wash between loads, deadstock pickup, gilt purchase and gilt quarantine were considered. Better practices pertaining to entrance protocol were reported more frequently on breeding sites in the MD than the HD area (P < 0.05). In the HD area, growing sites had in general a lower level of biosecurity than breeding sites. A higher level of biosecurity was observed at breeding sites located away from other pig sites, set at more than 300 m from a public road, having higher sow inventory, or being part of integrated production (P < 0.05). This study identified some biosecurity shortcomings that should be addressed before implementing a PRRSV regional control program.

Lambert M, Poljak Z, Arsenault J, D S. Epidemiological investigations in regard to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) in Quebec, Canada. Part 1: Biosecurity practices and their geographical distribution in two areas of different swine density. Preventive veterinary medicine 2012;