Problem
Porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome
Other Names:
Lelystad virus infectionSwine infertility and respiratory syndrome virus
Swine mystery disease
Blue abortion
Nature:
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) often kills baby pigs and causes economic hardship for pig farmers. Affected mothers lose up to 10 percent of their pregnancies. Their babies are spontaneously aborted or are stillborn. As many as 20 percent to 30 percent of survivors may suffer and die from respiratory disease, such as pneumonia. The PRRS virus is said to primarily attack a pig's immune system, leaving the body open to a host of other infections, particularly in the lungs. Some pigs develop a chronic infection and become carriers but show no symptoms. The virus is transmitted via semen, saliva and blood. Those pigs herded closely together and transported at close quarters by trucks may be more susceptible to infection. Incidence:
About 75 percent of US pig herds are infected with PRRS. Vaccines have only partially been effective. The disease also has been creating hugh economic problems for animal husbandry in many other nations since at least the mid-1980s and appears to be growing in frequency. Broader Problems:
ArterivirusesDiseases of pigs Related Problems:
CalicivirusesAcquired human immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) Subject(s):
Biosciences → GrowthBiosciences → Bacteriology
Birds, Mammals → Cattle, ungulates
Medicine → Pathology
Medicine → Respiratory system
Medicine → Reproductive system
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
G: Very specific problems Date of last update
04.10.2020 – 22:48 CEST