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Reducing early farrowings with PRRS vaccine
By Merial Animal Health, UK - Abortions, early farrowings, increased returns to service, stillbirths and weak piglets… all are signs of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome, or PRRS.
First identified in the USA in the late 1980s, and then in Europe in 1990, the disease is one of the major health problems currently facing British producers. As the name indicates, it causes reproductive problems that include abortion, mummified foetuses, weak piglets, early farrowing and costly returns to service - plus respiratory problems, especially in younger pigs.
It is estimated that well over half of UK herds are affected by PRRS. The disease has an adverse long-term effect on breeding performance and, as with most infectious diseases, good farm management is the key.
Leading animal healthcare company, Merial, has developed PROGRESSIS, an inactivated European strain PRRS vaccine, for use in breeding pigs, and is working alongside vets to promote its value as a solution to restore balance to herd health.
"Producers have long realised the importance of this disease, but up until very recently they have not had a vaccine available that can be safely used in the breeding herd", says Brian Rice, head of the Merial's swine division in the UK. "Since it became available in July 2001, we estimate that approximately 10% of breeding pigs in the UK have already been vaccinated with PROGRESSIS.
"Vaccination will keep the immune status of the breeding herd stable and prevent periodic flare-ups of PRRS that can have such a detrimental effect on the breeding performance of a pig unit," he adds.
Because there are a number of factors that can impact on the success of a vaccination programme, Merial recommends that producers call in their vet to examine how PROGRESSIS may be of benefit to their herd. Clinical signs will be taken into account, and the vet may advise taking blood samples to test for evidence of exposure to PRRS and to assess the level of virus circulating in the breeding herd.
Such a survey across a representative sample of the herd - including piglets, fatteners, gilts and sows - will provide an indication of the PRRS status of the stock. Vaccination with PROGRESSIS will normally be recommended in herds where there is evidence of active circulation of the PRRS virus among breeding pigs.
Trials where the vaccine has been used show a large reduction in the percentage of early farrowings. One field study, on five infected farms, saw a decrease from 30 early farrowings in the untreated group of sows (81 pigs) to five in the treated group (155 pigs). In gilts the results were even more positive with a reduction from 11 early farrowings in the untreated group to none in the treated.
"There is no doubt that PROGRESSIS is a an important weapon in the fight to restore balance to herd health," says Brian. "PRRS has had a significant impact on the reproductive performance of the national herd, and we are actively supporting pig vet practices who want to see this disease controlled."
For further information on PROGRESSIS, CLICK HERE or go to www.merial.com
For further information on PRRS, CLICK HERE
PROGRESSIS - Inactivated PRRS Vaccine for Sows and Gilts
Source: Merial Animal Health - 28th May 2002
