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Understanding how multiple viruses affect swine mortality

Researchers have a better idea of how multiple viruses present in swine barns impact mortality.

Boehringer Ingelheim swine technical manager for influenza Dr. Christa Goodell says the approach has typically been one treatment for one disease.

“And what we know from previous studies is that 1+1 does not equal 2.  So when you have diseases that happen as co-infections, the pig can’t handle that.  So we really have to think more about the infection and prevention chain and a whole herd approach.”

She tells Brownfield while there’s no silver bullet, maximizing immunity while minimizing exposure to disease produces the highest-value market hogs.

“What are the processes that need to take those two things into account?  How can we maximize immunity and minimize that exposure so that at the end of the day the pig is able to address and compensate for it if it has an infection.  It’s able to get through it, continue on feed, and really be a stellar pig at the end.”

Brownfield interviewed Dr. Goodell at World Pork Expo in Des Moines last week.