PRRS remains the number-one cause of economic impact in the U.S. swine industry. First described in the U.S. in the late 1980s < link >, PRRS has challenged swine veterinarians and producers to improvement all management practices. In addition to biosecurity advancements, PRRS made the swine industry better in five ways:
- Improved communication
- Fostered benchmarking
- Developed new tools for the toolbox
- Reinforced population immunity matters
- Taught people to think beyond the pathogen
Source: PORK, January/February 2020. Link.
“PRRS made us put together a plan – a consistent plan we follow the same way every time. It’s made us better scientific thinkers as far as how we deal with problems. Because of PRRS, we’re much better prepared to handle those diseases that make it in and the ones that hopefully won’t. It’s just made us all better.” – Scott Dee, DVM, Pipestone Veterinary Services
Also see: PRRS: Deciphering the mystery disease, PORK, November 21, 2010. Link. Part 1 of a PRRS series.
Also see: PRRS research beyond 2020: The fight isn’t over, PORK, January/February 2020. Link.
By applying the knowledge, tools and processes we have today in a holistic and systematic approach, we can make significant progress controlling the PRRS virus. . . It has taken everyone coming together to get to where we are today.” – Reed Phillips, DVM, PRRS technical manager for Boehringer Ingelheim.
INSIGHTS: Regardless of which animal species is your focus, the PRRS story is a moving example of how animal health pros make a difference. The tenets of collaboration, breaking of competitive silos, egos being set to the side and all-out global efforts represent how animal health pros must think and act from now on. Pathogens remain tantamount, but our collective job is to ensure the safety of a food supply for the animals and people dependent on it.