Know the Signs! New SHIC Fact Sheet Available on High-Path PRRSV

November 9, 2016 — 

In China, during 2006, over 2 Million pigs were affected by Highly Pathogenic PRRS Virus. Over 400,000 died. Today, the variant virus continues to plague the area, leaving open the possibility of trans-Pacific introduction into North America. The Swine Health and Information Center (SHIC) announces the addition of a new fact sheet on Highly Pathogenic Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (HP-PRRSV) to its series of pathogen fact sheets. The fact sheets give details on viruses featured in SHIC’s Swine Disease Matrix.

Classical PRRS viruses are economically devastating for swine producers in many parts of the world, and new PRRS virus variants—causing higher morbidity and mortality rates—continue to emerge in Asia. Although not currently identified in the United States, producers, veterinarians and diagnosticians should continue to be vigilant for HP-PRRSV.

Being aware of the possibility of HP-PRRSV, being able to quickly identify it and implementing appropriate biosecurity will help limit the damage should the virus enter the U.S. swine herd. One of the objectives of this fact sheet is to help make identification of HP-PRRSV quicker should it enter. SHIC is also currently funding more research into diagnostics that will help differentiate HP-PRRS viruses from known domestic strains.

SHIC is also funding research to help better identify and define risks of pathogen introduction. One of the objectives of this research program is to see if or how quickly different viruses, including HP-PRRSV, become inactive in various feed ingredients. The survivability of the viruses is tested under environmental and time conditions that mimic transportation from China to the central United States. The study is designed to help discover if imported feed ingredients might be a risk factor for the introduction of high-path PRRS and other viruses into the U.S.

Created by the Center for Food Security and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, at Iowa State University, this fact sheet focuses on:

• Etiology
• Cleaning/Disinfecting
• Epidemiology
• Transmission
• Infection/Pathogenesis
• Diagnostics
• Immunity
• Prevention and Control
• Knowledge Gaps

Click on the fact sheet titled: Highly Pathogenic Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus, to view it in its entirety.

The mission of the Swine Health Information Center is to protect and enhance the health of the United States swine herd through coordinated global disease monitoring, targeted research investments that minimize the impact of future disease threats, and analysis of swine health data. For more information, visit http://www.swinehealth.org or contact Dr. Paul Sundberg at psundberg@swinehealth.org.