11 Steps to Eliminate PRRS from the U.S. Swine Herd

The vision has been cast for a world with no porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) and the road map is now here, says Scott Dee, DVM. The question remains: Will PRRS eradication happen?

PRRS caused an estimated $1.2 billion per year in lost production in the U.S. pork industry from 2016 to 2020, an 80% increase from a decade earlier. Global competitors such as Brazil, Romania, Chile and Denmark either have successfully sustained freedom from PRRS virus or are striving to achieve or have achieved national elimination.

Along with Dee, swine veterinarians Gordon Spronk, Joe Annelli, Dave Schmitt, Steve Henry, Howard Hill, Joe Connor, Rodger Main and pork producer Jim Compart have recently published a paper in a viewpoint article in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association suggesting a strategy that will make a world without PRRS possible.

The paper outlines the “non-negotiables” to accomplish this goal of PRRS eradication, Dee says. To help draft this strategy, this working group of veterinarians and pork producers who have experience in the successful elimination of pseudorabies virus gathered to share lessons learned, strengths and limitations and the benefits of a national PRRS elimination strategy.

The Mindset Shift: Overcoming the “Belief Gap”

“The working group believed that national PRRS elimination is possible based on scientific documentation and field validation,” Dee says. “Feedback received from the National Pork Board’s National Swine Health Strategy’s recent survey of industry participants documents producer leadership and support of the goal. As U.S. producers and veterinarians have eradicated pseudorabies, classical swine fever, and foot and mouth disease, the group felt that a primary obstacle is a lack of belief that elimination of PRRS from the national herd is possible.”

Another challenge is few veterinarians or pork producers in the U.S. under the age of 55 have participated in a national swine disease eradication program. The group is calling for more education of veterinarians, veterinary students and pork producers of the millennial and Gen Z generations, as they will lead the effort.

The Blueprint: 12 Lessons from the Pseudorabies Victory

The working group reviewed what was learned from pseudorabies eradication and say these lessons learned could benefit PRRS elimination:

1. Producer leadership was essential.
2. Veterinarians, including state animal health officials, federal veterinarians, private and corporate practitioners, researchers, industry partners, and diagnosticians, played key roles.
3. Producer and veterinary organizations provided forums for the sharing of educational material, new knowledge, writing of resolutions, etc.
4. The program required funding and was stymied when not available.
5. Timely communication and cooperation was required.
6. Pilot projects proved pseudorabies eradication was possible.
7. Herd plans must be flexible to fit individual needs.
8. Delaying getting started had a negative impact.
9. While starting as a voluntary effort, mandatory regulations were eventually needed.
10. Surveillance, listing of swine premises, and animal identification enhanced information accuracy.
11. It was important to measure progress over time.
12. Biosecurity was always important.

National Swine Health Strategy Alignment

A clear path and vision is key to the success of this plan, Dee explains. “A World Without PRRS” promotes the well-being of pigs and people; reduces animal suffering, pain and death; and enhances caretaker well-being. It aligns with the National Swine Health Strategy.

The National Swine Health Strategy is a set of swine health priorities and objectives created by producers for the whole industry to work toward together. The board of directors from National Pork Board and National Pork Producers Council will approve the National Swine Health Strategy during their board meetings at the National Pork Industry Forum on March 3-4.

“Obtaining consensus of the desired outcome is the first step in any long and complex journey—an uncertain path, but a clear destination,” he says. “While the challenge at hand and lack of ‘silver bullets’ in hand are recognized, we have sufficient information to start the process, and the National Swine Health Strategy is just the spark we need.”

The Road Map to Success

The authors suggest the following 11-step process to eradicate PRRS from the U.S. swine herd:

1. Ensure clarity of the vision.
2. Make a compelling argument that the goal is achievable.
3. Be intentional regarding the goal.
4. Educate first.
5. Study the history.
6. Build the team.
7. Write resolutions.
8. Develop the plan.
9. Measure.
10. Communicate.
11. Learn, improve, succeed.

Read the full paper here.