July 12, 2021

New PRRS variants causing concern in US, says Anpario swine specialist

Swine producers, especially those in the United States, are becoming increasingly concerned about new variants of the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRS), which have been challenging production units, Anpario's swine expert, Heidi Hall, said.

The virus is most commonly a problem for producers in the US from October through to April. However, new PRRS variants are persisting into the summer months and appear to become even more lethal.

The impact of the variants includes a fast-rising increase in aborted litters and mortality rates, as well as reduced sow feed intakes. The variants are also known to affect pigs in nursery and grower-finisher phases, with animals suffering from reduced feed and water intake, as well as showing signs of respiratory distress.

"The concern seems to be most acute among producers in the Upper Midwest of the US," said Hall. "We have seen a significant uplift in the number of swine producers using pHorce, an effective acid based eubiotic with proven antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties."

Last year, independent trials were conducted by Dr. Scott Dee at Pipestone Applied Research Facility. These trials tested the anti-viral efficacy of widely available feed additives against viruses, including PRRS, PEDv (porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus) and SVA (Seneca Valley A). Anpario's pHorce was shown to be an effective anti-viral in-feed mitigant at a relatively low inclusion rate against each virus tested.

"Supplementing sow diets with pHorce is helping units to remain open, healthy and profitable," Hall said. "With serious concerns over the new PRRS variants, this in-feed mitigant provides insurance to the unit against bacterial, fungal and viral threats, protecting the sow..."

- Anpario