Opinion
Relating the challenges of pandemic mask wearing may be a reach, but swine veterinarians and producers have been fighting Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome (PRRS) since the late 1980s. Most animal health pros realize the importance of pathogen reduction. Air filtering has become a primary method of reducing risks in swine units where herd density challenges airborne disease prevention.
Jeff Feder, DVM, shares results that prove air filtration reduces PRRS outbreaks. Reviewing records from 85 farms with filtration, Feder found prior to filtration these farms were breaking with PRRS over three times more frequently than those without filtration. He also compares positive pressure to negative pressure systems.
Source: PORK, February 3, 2021. Link.
I completely believe in filtration and think that it’s a good tool to use, especially if you’re in a pig-dense area. I would just caution, though, that it’s like any other tool that has to be managed.” – Jeff Feder, DVM, Swine Vet Center
Also see: 7 Steps to create a biosecurity plan, Bovine Veterinarian, November 5, 2020. Link.
. . . biosecurity training needs to be on-going and continually reinforced. . . veterinarians in attendance preferred . . .”
INSIGHTS: It doesn’t take a quantum leap to correlate air filtration with mask wearing. Yet, we continue to see farmers, city people and governments fighting with this mainstay of pathogen risk reduction. In the words of football legend Randy Moss, “Come on man!”
Also see: It takes a village, see? National Hog Farmer, February 9, 2021. Link. A collaborative effort from a network of progressive producers and practitioners helped discover recent PRRS outbreak.