Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS)

Abstract

Recent reports from the People’s Republic of China and Southeast Asia have alerted the world to a new variant of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus. The disease produced by this virus is characterised by high morbidity and signifi cant mortality that has devastated the pig industries of the affected countries (Fig. 1). The growing import/export activities in that part of the world and the many countries involved, have prompted EMPRES to issue an early warning message to those areas, and in particular to offi cial veterinary services throughout Southeast Asia and parts of Africa, to be aware of this new variant of the PRRS virus and to offer advice on how to prevent the disease from establishing itself in new areas and how to effectively control outbreaks in the event that the virus does take hold I. Introduction 2. Geographical distribution 3. Clinical signs and diagnosis 4. Epidemiology 5. Prevention and control 6. References ProMED-mail (2006). Undiagnosed disease, porcine - China (03): OIE; 24 Sep: 20060924.2732. http://www.promedmail.org. Accessed 19 Aug 2007. ProMED-mail (2007a). Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome – China (06); 14 Sep: 20070914.3058 http://www. promedmail.org. Accessed 17 Sept 2007. ProMED-mail (2007b). Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome – China (08); 30 Oct: 20071030.3523 http://www. promedmail.org. Accessed 30 Oct 2007. ProMED-mail (2007c). Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome - South Africa (Western Cape); 31 Aug: 20070831.2867 http://www.promedmail.org. Accessed 19 Sept 2007.