Defend against PRRS and ASF: essential biosecurity tips

These diseases are like sneaky intruders, always looking for a way in. People, vehicles, animals, insects, and equipment can all transport diseases into your farm. They are of great concern for pig producers worldwide. The good thing is that there are steps you can take to keep your pigs safe. Farmers around the world are combating these hazards through, biosecurity, surveillance and vaccination.

Prevention: the best action against PRRS and ASF

Did you know that PRRS affects pigs of all stages, from young piglets to adult sows? As a systemic disease it targets all organs causing severe reproductive and respiratory symptoms, sometimes leading to death. ASF is another critical viral infection causing high mortality in swine. The key difference is that while clinical PRRS outbreaks can be reduced or prevented through vaccination, ASF cannot. However, biosecurity and surveillance can help keep your pigs healthy. Here are some tips and tricks.

3 actions to ensure effective PRRS control:

• Maximize immunity by vaccinating all at-risk animals.
• Reduce exposure through better management.
• Reduce virus introductions by implementing strict biosecurity protocols.

Dr. Marius Kunze, Global PRRS Technical Manager, states that “reducing the introduction of new strains to the herd will significantly reduce the number of outbreaks.” “For ASF both at the farm and the country level, the goal must be to prevent the introduction of the virus- management and vaccination are not currently viable for this disease,” claims Dr. Oliver Duran, Global Head of Swine Technical Services.

Biosecurity measures in pig farming

To keep these threats at bay, activate your biosecurity measures. Assess your farm’s needs to identify where you need to strengthen your efforts. Never forget that incoming pigs or animal transport vehicles are the highest risk for introduction of PRRS or ASF to a swine herd.

5 steps to address biosecurity risks:

• Disinfect incoming vehicles: Imagine every truck, car and van as a potential carrier of viruses. Disinfect them before they enter your farm.
• Neutralize equipment: Any equipment that goes near your pigs should be disinfected. Ultraviolet lights can do this quickly.
• Control visitor access: Keep track of who enters your farm. Have a registration point and ask visitors if they’ve been in contact with other pig farms.
• Shower in and out: Workers, visitors, and veterinarians should shower and wear clean clothes before entering and after leaving the farm. This prevents the spread of diseases.
• Isolate sick pigs immediately: Surveillance is crucial. At the first sign of illness, isolate the infected animal to prevent the disease from spreading.

Debunking common biosecurity myths

Even when highlighting the importance of biosecurity, there are many myths about biosecurity that can lead to misunderstandings. We want to clear the air on some of these to help you understand biosecurity better:

Myth 1: Only large farms need biosecurity. Every farm, regardless of size, can benefit from biosecurity measures. Diseases do not discriminate based on the farm size.

Myth 2: Vaccination alone is sufficient for disease prevention While vaccines are important, they are not foolproof. Effective biosecurity includes quarantine procedures, sanitation measures, and controlled access to pig housing, working in tandem with vaccination.

Myth 3: Biosecurity is too expensive. Many effective biosecurity practices are low-cost or cost-neutral. Implementing strict farm entry protocols, practicing good personal hygiene, and maintaining clean equipment can significantly reduce disease risk without substantial financial outlay.

Myth 4: Biosecurity is only about cleaning. While cleaning is important, biosecurity also involves controlling access, monitoring animal health and implementing preventive measures. A good mix of these 

Myth 5: Once implemented, no further adjustments are necessary. Biosecurity measures need regular review and updates to remain effective. Continuous improvement based on the latest research ensures that protocols stay robust against new challenges.

“Debunking these myths is essential for fostering a more accurate understanding of biosecurity in swine production. By embracing effective biosecurity practices, pig farmers can better protect their herds, sustain their operations, and contribute to the overall health of the swine industry,” concludes Oliver.

Our biosecurity assessment tool: COMBAT

Now, you’re probably thinking, "I wish I had a tool to strengthen my farm's biosecurity measures"? We did, too, so we created COMBAT, a free biosecurity assessment tool.

COMBAT is a user-friendly, web-based application that helps you analyze and improve critical biosecurity aspects. Based on your assessment, it identifies weaknesses and estimates the likelihood of a PRRS outbreak over the next five years. With the help of the tool, you can adapt your biosecurity action plan and ensure your animals stay safe and healthy.

Stay vigilant and monitor everything happening around you. Biosecurity, surveillance and vaccination are crucial to keeping your pigs healthy. Especially protecting them against crippling diseases like PRRS and ASF requires our full attention.