Air Filtration Systems Effective in Preventing Airborne Spread of PRRS and M hyo

All the air filter types tested equally reduced the risk of airborne transmission of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M hyo), according to researchers based in St Paul, Minnesota.

15 December 2011

2 minute read

By: Jackie Linden

In today's global swine industry, control and elimination strategies for PRRSV and M hyo are crippled by our inability to prevent their spread between herds via the airborne route, according to Scott Dee and co-authors at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine and Pipestone Veterinary Clinic.

In their paper published in a recent issue of Journal of Swine Health and Production, they describe a four-year study to evaluate the efficacy of commercial air filters (mechanical, antimicrobial and electrostatic filters) to protect susceptible populations against airborne transmission of PRRS and M hyo using a novel experimental model.

The researchers found that all filter types equally reduced the risk of airborne transmission of both pathogens, compared to non-filtered controls, supporting further application in the field.

Reference

Dee S., A. Pitkin, S. Otake and J. Deen. 2011. A four-year summary of air filtration system efficacy for preventing airborne spread of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. J. Swine Health Prod. 19(5):292–294.