PRRS Elimination in Pigs on the Moray Coast to Refine Innovative & Collaborative Control Techniques

PRRS virus is widely considered to be the most economically significant disease of pigs in Scotland.  The virus causes a spectrum of problems, from abortion and stillbirth in sows to pneumonia in growing pigs.  It also causes immune suppression, leaving infected pigs vulnerable to other conditions and potentially leading to greater use of antimicrobials.  These features combine to cause widespread impacts on the productivity, efficiency and welfare of the herd, and therefore control of this virus is highly desirable.  Unfortunately, the organism is also readily transmissible even at distance and will infect herds rapidly if introduced in new stock, or via contamination, meaning high standards of biosecurity are an important factor in control.

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