The handbook offers 25-plus years of PRRS research and best practices.
By Andrew Joseph, Farms.com
Boehringer Ingelheim has launched its PRRS Knowledge Manual, a free handbook chronicling over 25 years of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) research and best practices for control.
Compiling collaborative research and global perspectives from a variety of sources across academia and swine production, the handbook provides a comprehensive overview of PRRSV history and immunology, as well as practical advice for prevention and control.
Topics include:
- Foundations of PRRS – Information related to PRRSV immunity and the economic impact of the virus;
- Principles of PRRS Control – Detailing the three core pillars of PRRS control: maximize immunity, minimize exposure/transmission, and measure and monitor with diagnostics;
- The Role of Vaccine-Derived Immunity – Outlining the direct and indirect benefits of vaccination;
- Implementation of PRRS Control Strategies – Best practices for control, including the 5-Step Process and Infection Chain methodologies created by Boehringer Ingelheim.
“We have made tremendous strides in PRRS management over the last 25 years, none of which would have been possible without the dedication of academic researchers, veterinarians, and producers in the field,” explained Reid Philips, DVM, Technical Manager for PRRS at Boehringer Ingelheim US Swine Division. “We are proud to collaborate with these groups to bridge knowledge gaps and advance PRRS control strategies, in turn improving the health and performance of pigs and the bottom line for producers.”
PRRS remains the most economically significant disease affecting the US swine industry with economic losses estimated at US$664 million (~CDN $892 million) annually, or $1.8 million (~CDN $2.4 million) per day.
Continuous, collaborative research has proven critical to advancing the industry’s ability to manage this devastating virus.
“As the company that brought the industry’s first modified-live PRRS vaccine to market, Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to continuing its legacy in PRRS protection,” stated Lara Sheeley, Executive Director of Swine and Poultry Divisions at Boehringer Ingelheim. “The PRRS Knowledge Manual is a milestone in this legacy, documenting more than 25 years of progress in PRRS management, but also celebrating the community of industry professionals who made that progress possible.”
A global leader in the animal health industry and as part of the family owned Boehringer Ingelheim, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA has deep roots in the US. Starting in St. Joseph, Missouri over 100 years ago, it has grown to encompass seven sites. More about Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA can be found at www.bi-animalhealth.com.
To download a free copy of the PRRS Knowledge Manual visit www.bi-animalhealth.com/swine/resources/prrs-knowledge-manual.