That is why herd cleanup plans must address all factors that cause stress. Other species of animals are considered dead-end hosts, that is, if they become infected they die. PRV cannot live long without some degree of protection. Snotty nasal discharge can stick to panels, workers' clothing, feed, bedding, boots, trucks, and other equipment. Non-infected hogs can pick up the disease after contacting such contaminated items.
Survival is temperature dependent.
The virus can survive only a few hours on clean concrete or mixed in dirt. The PRV virus can survive up to three days on plastic and steel. Two days is the virus' survival time in manure and lagoon water. Whole corn can sustain the virus up to four days. The PRV virus mixed with body excrement can survive on the soil for up to six days.