PRRS (Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome) is the most serious of all the contagious swine diseases in the world. Since the disease was found in Denmark in 1992, it has had a major impact on animal welfare, just as it has cost farmers a considerable amount.

According to estimates by Denmark’s Pig Research Centre (VSP), the disease results in an annual financial loss for the farming industry of approximately DKK 112 million.

The disease causes reproductive and respiratory problems, as well as resultant infections such as encephalitis and arthritis – and thereby increased mortality.

In addition, the misuse of antibiotics for PRRS can pose a risk for public health. Controlling PRRS is therefore a top priority in Denmark and all other pig-producing countries in the world.

The existing vaccines against PRRS are not satisfactory, and there is a need for developing a new vaccine that is safe and efficient, and can be adapted to new strains of the virus. An international team of researchers has now decided to jointly solve this problem.

In contrast to most other viruses, antibodies first appear late after infection with the PRRS virus, and the virus can also be found in the blood weeks after the formation of antibodies.

This indicates that the PRRS virus is capable of bypassing the immune system, and the researchers will therefore use this as their starting point.

If the planned project is a success, it will – in addition to providing better animal welfare and saving large amounts for farmers – provide a technology platform for developing vaccines against other viruses such as SARS and HIV.

The Danish Council for Strategic Research has awarded the five-year project a grant of more than DKK 15 million.