The board of directors of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) has adopted a position statement regarding the eradication of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS).
The board determined at its fall meeting that eradication should be the ultimate goal. The board further urged the AASV to take a lead role by supporting the efforts of researchers, practitioners and producers in eliminating a disease that is estimated to cost the industry $560 million annually, based on a recent study released by the National Pork Board. That compares with annual losses from hog cholera and pseudorabies, estimated at $364 million and $36 million, respectively, prior to the eradication of those diseases.
The board's resolution says in part that because traditional disease control methods have not been effective in all cases, PRRS eradication from North America should be the long-term goal.
The resolution added, “The AASV will take a leadership role by partnering with the swine industry to promote collaborative PRRS eradication efforts at the local, regional and national levels, communicating the need and identifying sources of funding to support such initiatives, and assisting in the transfer of new PRRS-related information and technology across its membership, in order to achieve this goal.”