May 26, 2008

USDA approves US$4.8 million grant for PRRS research
 
 

The USDA has approved a US$4.8 million grant to support a national programme aimed at controlling the Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS).
 

Researchers at Kansas State University (K-State) will collaborate with other universities and interest groups in the project, which would be led by Raymond Rowland, a professor and virologist from K-State. The project would receive US$1.2 million per year for the next four years.

The project aims to effectively coordinate efforts in handling the disease, including research, education and extension.

The elimination of PRRS would significantly improve animal health and welfare as well as the economic bottom line of pig producers, according to Rowland.

The project will support research on new PRRS vaccines and how things like pig genetics affect treatment, Rowland said.

Rowland also said researchers taking part in the project will take a broader look at the disease and try to map out how the virus works and what effects variables such as environment have. 
  

PRRS has spread throughout North America, EU and Asia and causes flu-like syndromes with high fever, loss of appetite, poor health and even deaths of pregnant sows and newborn piglets.

The disease costs the industry about US$700 million per year, with Kansas alone losing about US$15 million annually.