Farm Animals

Pig Respiratory PRRS Welfare Management

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) is a major disease causing significant welfare and production impacts in pig herds.

Key Facts

PRRS is one of the most economically significant pig diseases globally
Respiratory distress, high fever, and reproductive failure characterise acute outbreaks
PRRS virus mutates rapidly making vaccination challenging
Biosecurity, monitoring, and herd immunity management are cornerstones of control

Welfare Considerations

PRRS causes severe respiratory distress, fever, and systemic illness causing significant acute suffering. Reproductive failure causes piglet losses through stillbirths and pre-weaning mortality. Effective biosecurity and management reduce welfare impacts of this ubiquitous pathogen.

What You Can Do

Support pig farmer access to veterinary PRRS management guidance
Advocate for PRRS research funding for improved vaccines
Choose pork from farms with documented health management programmes