Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome or PRRS is a viral disease that causes reproductive problems in sows and it has a respiratory component in which pigs are susceptible to respiratory disease.

Last month, representatives of Manitoba Pork Council travelled to Mankato, Minnesota to discuss US efforts to contain and eventually eradicate PRRS.

Manitoba Pork Council vice-chair, Rick Bergmann, says, while PRRS presents less of a challenge in western Canada than in other regions, biosecurity remains the best defence.

Rick Bergmann – Manitoba Pork Council:

Some herds are negative. some herds are positive for PRRS.

The biosecurity protocols to reduce or eliminate the challenge of PRRS is a strong disinfectant programme, a strong programme in regards to people and traffic on the farm yards and so on.

The farms in Manitoba here and I'm sure in western Canada, a lot of them if not all of them, have a protocol of a shower in shower out procedure.

By showering in and removing all footwear and clothing on one of the entrance and then showering into the livestock facility, that's a great way to keep PRRS at bay.

A lot of farms will have a boundary around the building, around the structure where there's a four foot or eight foot rock base around the building to keep the high grass from growing.

All these little steps, when you put them together, would create a good biosecurity program to keep things in place.

Mr Bergmann notes PRRS can travel in numerous different ways so eradication will require a concerted effort on the part of most if not all stake holders.

Further Reading

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Find out more information on porcine reproductive respiratory syndrome (PRRS) by clicking here.