Losses due to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome in a large swine farm

Abstract

The aim of the presented studies was to demonstrate losses and economical consequences of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) outbreak in a large swine farm in Poland. Prior to the occurrence of PRRS the piglets' mortality rate did not exceed 6%, losses among weaners and fatteners were lower than 3.5% and the percentage of sows that farrowed before term was 1.4%. During the first month after onset of the outbreak 25.6% of sows farrowed before 110 days of pregnancy, the percentage of mummies was 21.7%, the percentage of piglets that died before weaning was 43.3%, losses among fatteners and weaners were four times greater, and average production of weaned piglets per sow per year dropped from 21.1 to 18.1. Farrowing rate dropped from 80.5 to 47.7% and even 12 months after onset of the outbreak did not reach the level found before the outbreak. Expenses dealing with preventing and treating secondary infections, during the 12 months after the outbreak were on average 60% higher than, those found, during the previous year.