Porcine reproductive & respiratory syndrome

Porcine reproductive & respiratory syndrome

PRRS (porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome) is a viral disease characterized by two clinical presentations, reproductive impairment or failure in breeding animals, and respiratory disease in pigs of any age. PRRS was ﬁrst recognized in the USA in 1987, and the causative virus identiﬁed in the Netherlands in 1991 (originally called Lelystad virus) is a member of the genus Arterivirus. The disease is a significant problem and the virus is present in most pig producing countries in the world.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, (PRRS), also named blue ear disease, is a widespread disease affecting domestic pigs. The symptoms include reproductive failure, pneumonia and increased susceptibility to secondary bacterial infection

Vaccines for PRRS are available and should match the naturally occurring endemic strains and consequently there is an urgent need for vaccines adapted to the circulating strains. To achieve this, development of multivalent vaccines should be considered. Commercial companies in the field are interested but there are no vaccines against the more recent strains or multiple strains. There is an urgent need for an update of existing vaccines.

The current state of PRRS research is covered in the Annual state-of-the art report on animal health research on IRC priorities.

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