Porcine Vaccines: Protecting Pigs from Common Diseases

Pigs, like all other livestock animals, are susceptible to various infectious diseases that can pose serious health and economic concerns for pig farmers. Fortunately, porcine vaccines provide an effective means of protecting pig herds from many common swine diseases. This article provides an overview of some of the major diseases pigs can contract and the vaccines available to prevent them.

Classical Swine Fever Vaccine

Classical swine fever, also known as hog cholera, is a highly contagious viral disease of pigs. Left unchecked, it can spread rapidly through pig populations and result in high mortality rates. A live attenuated vaccine is available that provides solid protection against classical swine fever. Porcine Vaccines has proved very effective in vaccination programs that have successfully eradicated the disease from many countries worldwide. Vaccination is still practiced in regions where classical swine fever remains endemic.

Porcine Circovirus Vaccines

Porcine circovirus causes porcine circovirus associated disease (PCVAD), which impacts pig welfare and productivity. There are two types of porcine circovirus - PCV1 is non-pathogenic, while PCV2 is the primary cause of PCVAD. Vaccines containing inactivated PCV2 are commonly used in pig herds and provide good protection against PCVAD, reducing the risk of mortality, respiratory disease, and reproductive failure. Combination vaccines containing PCV2 and other pathogens like porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) are also available.

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Vaccines

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is considered one of the most economically significant diseases facing the global pork industry. It causes reproductive failure in sows and respiratory distress in piglets and growing pigs. Both modified live and inactivated vaccines against PRRSV are in use, usually in combination with other pathogens. Studies show vaccination significantly reduces clinical signs and production losses from PRRS. However, due to the constant mutation of PRRSV strains, matching vaccine viruses to circulating field strains remains an ongoing challenge.

Erysipelas Vaccination

Erysipelas is a bacterial infection of pigs caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae bacteria. Clinical signs include Diamond skin disease, arthritis, and sudden death. Both live and inactivated erysipelas vaccines are available to protect pigs. Vaccination has proven very successful in controlling outbreaks and reducing production losses from Erysipelas at farms with a history of the disease.

Swine Influenza Vaccination

Swine influenza is a highly contagious viral respiratory disease of pigs caused by influenza A viruses. It results in coughing, sneezing, fever and reduced weight gains. Modified live and killed vaccines containing the prevalent H1N1 and H3N2 swine influenza strains provide protective immunity for 4-6 months. Mass vaccination of breeding pigs is recommended to limit disease spread through pig populations and decrease the risk of animal-to-human pathogen transmission.

Parvovirus Porcine Vaccine

Porcine parvovirus causes reproductive failure in sows through abortion, stillbirths or mummified fetuses. Modified live and inactivated porcine parvovirus vaccines are available to induce immunity in sows. Research shows vaccination results in a significant drop in the prevalence of porcine parvovirus and improves litter size and liveborn piglets per litter. Vaccination before mating is recommended to prevent fetal infection and maximize vaccine effectiveness.

Post-Weaning Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome Vaccines

Post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) poses a serious economic problem due to reduced growth rates and increased mortality in nursery and grower pigs. Vaccines containing porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) provide solid protection against PMWS under field conditions. Studies have reported up to an 80% reduction in PMWS-related mortality at farms through the use of PCV2 vaccines.

 vaccination presents an invaluable tool for controlling major infectious diseases affecting swine health, welfare and production. Routine use of appropriate porcine vaccines targeting prevalent local diseases helps optimize pig farming outcomes through reduced mortality, increased growth performance and litter sizes. While new pathogens may emerge over time, continuous advances in vaccine research and technology aim to keep pace with evolving disease challenges faced by swine producers worldwide.

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Ravina Pandya, Content Writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravina-pandya-1a3984191)