Another scare in Mizoram: Porcine Reproductive & Respiratory Syndrome

Aizawl, Jan 17 (PTI) Mizoram government has banned import of pigs and piglets to prevent outbreak of a disease that has cost the lives of thousands of swines in the state. The Mizoram government has instructed deputy commissioners of all the eight districts to issue prohibitory orders banning the import from other countries to stop, Animal Husbandry and veterinary Minister Dr K Beichhua said Thursday.

The porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) has cost the lives of over 10,000 swines in Mizoram since 2013 and it is believed that it happened due to import of pigs and piglets from Myanmar where the disease was known to be prevalent, officials said. Beichhua said the ban of import of pigs from other countries was the only way to prevent outbreak of the PRRS in the state…

All about porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome

·         PRRS is a viral disease caused by an arterivirus.

·         It was called the “mystery swine disease”, when the disease was first recognised in North America in the 80s. Another name for PRRS is the “blue ear disease”.

·         The disease is now present worldwide, with the exception of Finland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Australia and New Zealand.

·         PRRS is an enzootic disease in pig population of Mizoram since the first outbreak in 2013.

·         The pig, whether domestic or wild, is the only species known to be naturally susceptible to this disease.

·         The virus has a predilection for alveolar macrophages and macrophages of the lymphoid tissues in the acute stage of the infection. The virus persists in the tonsils and lung macrophages.

·         Once the virus infects a herd, it remains active for an indefinite period of time.

·         The clinical manifestations vary with the strain of virus and  the immune status of the herd.

·         Clinical disease in a herd occurs due to acute viremia in individuals and transmission of the virus from the infected females to their fetuses via the placenta, which can occur at any time.

·         The virus infects all types of herd including high or ordinary health status and both indoor and outdoor units, irrespective of the number. 

·         For every three herds that are exposed to the infection for the first time, one will show no recognizable disease, the second would show mild disease and the third show moderate to severe disease.

·         Concurrent infections with other pathogens may also occur.

(Source: World Organization for Animal health http://www.oie.int/fileadmin/Home/eng/Our_scientific_expertise/docs/pdf/PRRS_guide_web_bulletin.pdf)

Dr KK Aggarwal

Padma Shri Awardee

President Elect Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania   (CMAAO)

Group Editor-in-Chief IJCP Publications

President Heart Care Foundation of India

Past National President IMA