Herd Health: Mapping Ontario’s PRRS virus strains

The ‘PRRS Project’ is well on its way to tracing the new and virulent strains of PRRS virus that caused havoc in Ontario herds in 2004 and 2005

by S. ERNEST SANFORD 

It’s almost three years since we embarked on “the PRRS Project” after the new and highly virulent strains of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus swept through Ontario in the fall of 2004 and the winter and spring of 2005, causing epidemic PRRS outbreaks in many herds.

PRRS virus mapping – funded by Ontario Pork and colloquially termed “PRRS Project #1” – was first off the mark and got started in January 2006.  I’ll be providing updates on the other PRRS Project activities being undertaken by the Ontario Pork Industry Council Swine Health Advisory Board (OSHAB) at a later date.

Better Pork - August 2008