One-Night Downtime Period Prevents Spread of PRRS Virus and M hyo by Personnel and Fomites

Basic biosecurity measures prevented the spread of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M hyo) between pig herds by workers and fomites such as tools, according to researchers based in Minnesota, US. Extended downtimes did not reduce the spread of infection in their study, however.

25 January 2012

3 minute read

By: Jackie Linden

In a paper published in Journal of Swine Diseases and Production, A. Pitkin of the Swine Disease Eradication Center in St Paul, Minnesota and co-authors there and at Pipestone Veterinary Clinic summarised observations recorded over a four-year (1,438-day) period regarding the ability of a one-night period of downtime to prevent mechanical spread of PRRSV and M hyo between pig populations by personnel and fomites.

Under the conditions of their study, the researchers noted that mechanical spread of PRRSV and M hyo by personnel and fomites (boots and coveralls) is prevented by basic sanitation procedures.

They concluded that, on the basis of their observations, extended downtime periods are not required to reduce the risk of mechanical spread of these two pathogens by personnel and fomites.

These results should not be extrapolated across other pathogens such as porcine circovirus type 2 or swine influenza virus until further research can be conducted, added Pitkin and co-authors.

Reference

Pitkin A., S. Otake and S. Dee. 2011. A one-night downtime period prevents the spread of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae by personnel and fomites (boots and coveralls). J Swine Health Prod. 19(6):345–348.