Is aerosol transmission an important risk for PRRSV transmission? An example of how simple biosecurity procedures can prevent virus spread within a barn

Abstract

Understanding the transmission of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is important for developing methods to control and eliminate the virus. In this study, 2 similar experiments were performed involving 10 sentinel pigs main- tained for 42 d in close proximity to 190 pigs experimentally infected with a highly pathogenic PRRSV isolate. All pigs were monitored for PRRSV infection by PCR and serology. In the first experiment, virus transmission to sentinel pigs was detected within 21 d after infection of the source population of pigs. In the second experiment, a small separation distance of 27 ft combined with simple biosecurity procedures was sufficient to prevent the transmission of virus to sentinel pigs. Overall, the results indicate a low risk associated with PRRSV spread by aerosols and reinforce the importance of maintaining good biosecurity procedures.