Primary replication occurs in alveolar macrophages. When pregnant sows and gilt s become infected late in gestation, the virus is able to cross the placenta and cause pathological lesions in the fetuses. There is no direct treatment for PRRS available at this point in time but supportive measures may have beneficial effects. They are administered by intramuscular injections to growing and breeding pigs. Prevention strategies are intended to keep PRRS virus out of a herd.
Control strategies contain and minimize the effects of disease, if introduced.
If you do not have PRRS, do everything possible to keep PRRS out. Quarantine of incoming pigs. Replacements should be held in quarantine for 60 days and observed. They should be tested for PRRS antibodies on entry to quarantine. If PRRS vaccination is part of the unit's PRRS control program, the initial vaccination may be administered within the first week.