Pig Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Welfare

PRRS is one of the most economically costly swine diseases worldwide, causing respiratory distress, reproductive failure, and significant welfare impacts on affected herds.

Key Facts

PRRS virus was first identified in the 1980s and has spread globally to become endemic in most pig-producing countries
The virus causes abortion, stillbirth, and weak-born piglets in sows, and respiratory disease in growing pigs
Infected piglets experience pneumonia, laboured breathing, and growth retardation
There is no fully effective vaccine; management strategies focus on exposure control and herd immunity
PRRS costs the US swine industry alone an estimated $664 million annually

Welfare Considerations

PRRS causes significant suffering at multiple life stages. Sows experience reproductive failure and associated distress. Affected piglets suffer from respiratory disease that can cause laboured breathing, reduced oxygen levels, and chronic ill-thrift. Secondary bacterial infections worsen outcomes. The disease is difficult to eliminate once established, meaning many farms contend with endemic PRRS and ongoing welfare impacts. Improving ventilation, strict biosecurity, and careful management of pig movement reduce transmission.

What You Can Do

Support investment in PRRS vaccine research and improved biosecurity standards
Choose pork from farms with transparent health monitoring and low antibiotic use
Advocate for improved ventilation standards in pig housing
Support organisations working to eliminate intensive practices that increase disease vulnerability