Title : PRRSv detection over time in different age groups in breeding herds attempting to produce PRRSv-negative piglets at weaning : part 2 : suckling pig population ( NPB 18-161 )

It is clear that PRRS virus (PRRSv) has the ability to sustain infection in breeding herds at a very low prevalence. This makes it difficult to detect the virus towards the end of PRRSvelimination programs. In other words, it is challenging to know when it is safe to bring in PRRSv-negative gilts without risk of “re-break” with the same virus. There are a couple alternatives to detect virus at low prevalence: 1) collect blood samples from a high number (150+) of pigs at weekly intervals, or 2) take advantage of ‘population-based’ sample types such as processing fluids (PF) where ‘hundreds’ of piglets are sampled at once.