The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) is urging pork producers affected by Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) to stay informed about the specific strains circulating in their herds and regions.
PRRS-2 Lineage 1C.5 Becomes Dominant in the U.S.
According to SHIC, the PRRS-2 Lineage 1C.5 Clonally Expanded Clade has now spread to eight states, making it the dominant PRRS lineage in the U.S. This development raises concerns for pork producers, particularly those managing grow-finish farms, breeding farms, and nurseries.
Dr. Megan Niederwerder, Executive Director of SHIC, emphasized the importance of understanding and monitoring PRRS strains:
“The majority of cases for this specific virus have been found in grow-finish farms, but there have been cases in breeding farms and nurseries as well. Pork producers should be aware of this and consider it when developing PRRS management strategies, including herd closure, depopulation, vaccination, and surveillance. Knowing which strain is circulating in their herd and assessing the regional risk of virus introduction and spread is critical.”
Monitoring and Biosecurity: Key Strategies
The Swine Disease Reporting System and the Swine Health Information Center Domestic Disease Monitoring Report continue to track and update PRRS trends. Producers can access real-time data through SHIC’s online dashboard, which is updated daily.
Dr. Niederwerder also stressed the importance of enhanced biosecurity measures, especially during the colder months when respiratory diseases pose a greater risk to growing pigs:
“We want to encourage continued vigilance on biosecurity in these winter months. Respiratory diseases remain a major challenge, so ensuring that biosecurity protocols are in place daily is essential for protecting herds.”
Accessing More Information
For further details on PRRS-2 Lineage 1C.5 Clonally Expanded Clade, visit the Swine Health Information Center’s website at swinehealth.org.
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