Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS)
Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) also named blue ear disease, is a widespread viral disease affecting domestic pigs.
If notifiable disease is suspected, contact DAERA on 0300 200 7840 or your local DAERA Direct Regional Office. Failure to do so is an offence
Current Situation
PRRS was first recognized in the United States in 1987, and the causative virus was identified in the Netherlands in 1991.
Where is this disease found?
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome is now found in most areas of the world where pigs are raised. Besides Europe and North America, it was identified in China in 1995 and is present in Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Korea among other countries in Asia. Australia, New Zealand, several European countries, parts of Africa and India are currently free of the disease.
Clinical signs
Clinical signs of PRRS vary depending on the age of the infected animal. Pigs of breeding-age are more commonly affected with the reproductive syndrome, while piglets and young pigs are affected by the respiratory syndrome.
Breeding pigs:
- Decrease in conception
- Increase in premature birthing, late term abortions, stillborn or weak piglets and mummified foetuses.
- High preweaning mortality
- Anorexia
- Fever
- Perhaps respiratory distress or vomiting
- Blue colouring due to decrease blood flow (cyanosis) of the ears, abdomen and vulva
Young pigs:
- Fever
- Depression
- Lethargy
- Pneumonia
- Difficulty breathing
- Stunted growth due to systemic disease
- Increased post weaning mortality
What is the public health risk associated with this disease?
There is no evidence of human infection with PRRS virus.
How is the disease transmitted?
It seems that transmission of PRRS virus is most often due to the movement of infected animals. Pigs born to infected dams may not show disease signs but can still be virus shedders.
However, the virus is also found in faeces, urine, and semen and can be spread by vehicles or supplies and even insects have been found as a potential source of spread. As well there is the possibility of windborne spread. There is evidence that the disease can also spread through artificial insemination when semen is contaminated with the virus.
Prevention
Good biosecurity is essential to the prevention of introduction of PRRS into Northern Ireland.
Biosecurity measures that farmers can take
- maintain strict biosecurity
- only allow essential visitors to enter your farm, and insist that they wear clean or disposable clothing and footwear, and wash their hands (or shower in if possible)
- only allow vehicles and equipment on to the farm if they have been cleaned and disinfected beforehand
- do not allow people who may have been in contact with other pigs on to your farm
- do not allow staff and visitors to bring pork products on to the farm
- do not allow catering waste / scraps to be fed to pigs - dispose of it safely
- only source pigs and semen of known health status
If you keep pigs, you have an important role in preventing further disease outbreaks, it is essential that pig holders maintain effective biosecurity all year round.
The above biosecurity measures are covered in our one page leaflet, print this and keep it handy, or put a copy on your noticeboard.
The Department has a Pig Text Alert Service for all pig keepers to receive immediate notifications of disease outbreaks or other important disease information.
Do not feed pigs food waste
The feeding of any food waste of animal origin or food waste which has been in contact with products of animal origin, whether raw or cooked, is illegal. This is because there is a risk of spreading disease.
Food waste includes
- kitchen waste or scraps, such as leftovers from meals
- raw, partially or fully cooked meat
- meat that’s been cured, dried, smoked or frozen
- fish, including shellfish
- dog and cat food
You should dispose of food waste and any packaging in secure bins and you should not take meat or meat products into areas where pigs are kept.
Personal Imports
Everyone has a role to play in keeping PRRS out of NI and preventing the virus spreading, by not bringing illegal food products into NI. Please find Information on Personal Food Imports or if you are thinking of bringing meat or food into NI.
It is illegal to bring personal meat or dairy products into NI from non-EU countries. Products will be seized and destroyed on arrival. You may be fined.
More useful links
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome - WOAH - World Organisation for Animal Health