Risk factors associated with seropositivity to PRRS virus at household farm levels in Phu Tho and Quang Ninh provinces

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 200 household pig farms in Phu Tho and Quang Ninh provinces from July-October 2017 to determine the prevalence of antibody to PRRSV and to identify possible risk factors associated with sero-positivity of this virus. The selected farms were visited, and interviewed to collect the information on farm characteristics and husbandry practices and 400 serum samples. The studied results showed that a series of farm sanitary and management practices relating to biosafety and epidemic prevention, such as: Input/output together measure; Isolation of new animal before introduction into the pig herd were not paid attention; More than 13% of households discharged pig manure directly into rivers and lakes and the rate of PRRS vaccination was very low, reaching only 9% in Phu Tho province and 20% in Quang Ninh province. The everage PRRSV sero-prevalence in unvaccinated animals varied between 15% and 20% in Phu Tho province and Quang Ninh province. The main risk factors associated with PRRSV sero-positivity including pig farms located near the public ponds,  animal wastes were  untreated; and pens were not cleaned and disinfected periodically.