Animal Health at Farm Level: PMWS and PRRS

The eighth Learning Resource (LR8) developed for Q-PorkChains focuses on animal health at farm level and especially the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) and Post-weaning multi-systemic wasting syndrome (PMWS).

This e-learning resource provides information about two diseases of great importance in the pig industry – PRRS and PMVS. PRRS is considered one of the main threats for the pig industry in most European countries. However, the situation differs between countries. It seems that most of the European countries are coping with the disease mainly by increasing biosecurity measures and a strict all-in all-out protocol. For countries free of PRRS virus there is a worry about introducing the virus via infected pigs or semen. In Denmark the impact of PMWS is currently controlled through strict biosecurity practices along with high standards of farm hygiene. In the rest of Europe the situation seems to have improved since vaccines were introduced, but it is still one of the most costly diseases for the pig industry as a whole.

Post-weaning Multi-systemic Wasting Syndrome (PMWS) and Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) have emerged in the last 20 years, and are now widespread. Both diseases have caused major economic impacts in the pig industry in Europe and worldwide, becoming two of the most important pig diseases.

 

PMWS typically affects weaned and growing pigs, causing important economic losses through increased post-weaning mortality, reduced growth rates and increased feed conversion ratios. Similarly, PRRS's main economic impact is through growth reduction and increased mortality. PRRS, however, also causes reproductive failure, and post weaning pneumonia leads to increased treatment costs.

 

The virus known as PCV-2 is the casual agent of PMWS, but on its own it is not enough to trigger clinical signs, so other factors are also needed for the disease to get established.

 

On the other hand, PRRS virus on its own can cause the disease. There are two main genotypes of the virus and numerous strains which vary in disease severity. The North American strains which circulate in Asia are particularly serious. In addition, the virus keeps mutating and different strains require different vaccines, and this makes vaccine development challenging.

 

The nature and characteristics of PMWS and PRRS makes it unlikely that a single control measure would be enough to control these diseases. Instead a combination of herd management and biosecurity measures are needed for their control.

 

Go to the resource at porktraining.org

 

Outline

This e-learning resource aims to provide information on the importance and impact that PMWS and PRRS have had in the pig industry in Europe since they emerged. A description and evaluation of different strategies, used across countries to manage these diseases, is carried out. Possible strategies for the future are evaluated based on current knowledge.
The training material is aimed for farmers, farm staff, members of allied industries and undergraduate students.

 

The learning resource includes

• Objectives and learning goals for different target groups
• Importance of PRRS and PMWS to the European pig industries 
• PRRS – causes and predisposing factors
• Alternative strategies for managing PRRS 
• PMWS – causes and predisposing factors 
• Alternative strategies for managing PMWS 
• Outlook for the future 
• Activities with feedback throughout the learning resource
• References

Go to the resource at porktraining.org