Farm Animals

Pig PRRS Virus Prevention and Biosecurity

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) causes significant welfare harm. Prevention through rigorous biosecurity and vaccination reduces disease burden and associated suffering.

Key Facts

PRRS virus causes reproductive failure in sows and respiratory disease in growing pigs globally
Affected sows suffer late-term abortions, mummified fetuses and post-farrowing disease
Growing pigs develop pneumonia that causes labored breathing, fever and significant weight loss
The virus mutates rapidly making vaccine matching and protection challenging
PRRS-free status achieved through rigorous depopulation-repopulation and biosecurity provides the best outcome

Welfare Considerations

PRRS causes mass reproductive loss and pneumonia with prolonged respiratory distress across pig farms. The unpredictable nature of outbreaks and rapid viral evolution make control challenging. Individual pig welfare during outbreaks includes respiratory distress, fever and reduced feed intake affecting both sows and growing pigs. Prevention through biosecurity is a welfare imperative given the limited control options once virus enters a herd.

What You Can Do

Buy pork from farms with documented PRRS monitoring and biosecurity programs
Support mandatory PRRS monitoring and reporting requirements to enable regional control
Advocate for research funding into effective broad-spectrum PRRS vaccine development
Reduce pork consumption to decrease demand for intensive systems most vulnerable to PRRS
Support air filtration systems and other biosecurity investments as welfare interventions