Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) doesn’t look like the devastating ‘wasting’ disease of two decades ago that resulted in high mortality and failure to thrive. Instead, it manifests as a subtle, persistent drag on production today that leaves producers feeling like something is simply ‘off.’
New research confirms the PCV2d genotype is now ubiquitous across the U.S. industry, appearing in over 80% of clinical cases. By matching the vaccine to the dominant field strain, experts say producers can provide the most robust protection possible, effectively taking PCV2 ‘off the table’ so they can focus their resources on more complex challenges like porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS).
Why Modern Circovirus Doesn’t Look Like it Used To
The original PCV2 vaccines included protection against genotype “a” (the most common at the time) and “b.” What had become a major challenge for U.S. pig farmers was fading away because of the successful protection of these vaccines.
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