Evaluating perspectives for PRRS virus elimination from pig dense areas with a risk factor based herd index

Fahrion, Anna Sophie; Beilage, E. grosse; Nathues, Heiko; Dürr, Salome Esther; Doherr, Marcus (2014). Evaluating perspectives for PRRS virus elimination from pig dense areas with a risk factor based herd index. Preventive veterinary medicine, 114(3-4), pp. 247-258. Elsevier 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2014.03.002

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Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is wide-spread in pig populations globally. In many regions of Europe with intensive pig production and high herd densities, the virus is endemic and can cause disease and production losses. This fuels discussion about the feasibility and sustainability of virus elimination from larger geographic regions. The implementation of a program aiming at virus elimination for areas with high pig density is unprecedented and its potential success is unknown. The objective of this work was to approach pig population data with a simple method that could support assessing the feasibility of a sustainable regional PRRSV elimination. Based on known risk factors such as pig herd structure and neighborhood conditions, an index characterizing individual herds' potential for endemic virus circulation and reinfection was designed. This index was subsequently used to compare data of all pig herds in two regions with different pig- and herd-densities in Lower Saxony (North-West Germany) where PRRSV is endemic. Distribution of the indexed herds was displayed using GIS. Clusters of high herd index densities forming potential risk hot spots were identified which could represent key target areas for surveillance and biosecurity measures under a control program aimed at virus elimination. In an additional step, for the study region with the higher pig density (2463 pigs/km(2) farmland), the potential distribution of PRRSV-free and non-free herds during the implementation of a national control program aiming at national virus elimination was modeled. Complex herd and trade network structures suggest that PRRSV elimination in regions with intensive pig farming like that of middle Europe would have to involve legal regulation and be accompanied by important trade and animal movement restrictions. The proposed methodology of risk index mapping could be adapted to areas varying in size, herd structure and density. Interpreted in the regional context, this could help to classify the density of risk and to accordingly target resources and measures for elimination.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

05 Veterinary Medicine > Research Foci > Veterinary Public Health / Herd Health Management
05 Veterinary Medicine > Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine (DKV) > Swine Clinic
05 Veterinary Medicine > Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine (DKV)
05 Veterinary Medicine > Department of Clinical Research and Veterinary Public Health (DCR-VPH) > Veterinary Public Health Institute
05 Veterinary Medicine > Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology (DIP)
05 Veterinary Medicine > Department of Clinical Research and Veterinary Public Health (DCR-VPH)

UniBE Contributor:

Fahrion, Anna Sophie, Nathues, Heiko, Dürr, Salome Esther, Doherr, Marcus

Subjects:

600 Technology > 630 Agriculture
600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health

ISSN:

0167-5877

Publisher:

Elsevier

Language:

English

Submitter:

Friederike Zeeh

Date Deposited:

03 Feb 2015 16:26

Last Modified:

05 Dec 2022 14:39

Publisher DOI:

10.1016/j.prevetmed.2014.03.002

PubMed ID:

24674019

Uncontrolled Keywords:

Endemic production diseases, Geographic information system (GIS), Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), Risk factor, Virus circulation

BORIS DOI:

10.7892/boris.62507

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/62507

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