There are reasons to believe that vaccinating pigs is better than killing them in case of a Classical Swine Fever (CSF) outbreak.

Chinese state media reported on Monday that they have arrested the makers of a fake vaccine, which failed to prevent an outbreak of blue-ear pig disease.

The Canadian government announced yesterday that CAD$25m (US$25.4m) will be put aside in a special Circovirus Inoculation Program (CIP) for pig owners and herd managers.

Italian field studies show that vaccination against Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (App) is useful even when the mortality due to App is low. Vaccination leads to increased profitability by improving several production parameters.

With costs rising rapidly due to increases in feed prices, is it a good time to focus on improving health and considering eradication of such production depressing diseases as enzootic pneumonia?

Stress is undoubtedly an important factor in food animal production. Stressed animals are more susceptible to disease, produce lower quality meat and are less likely to grow as quickly or efficiently as they should. Avoiding unnecessary stress is not just good from an animal welfare point of view: it also makes good business sense.

The use of a vaccination can significantly reduce the use of antimicrobials in pig farming. Recent studies show that even with a reduction of antimicrobial use, pigs can grow faster and more consistently when compared to that of control groups.

The Vietnamese ministry of agriculture says that the large blue ear disease (PRRS) outbreak is under control.

Ohio State University researchers have warned that pigs raised without antibiotics are more likely to carry bacteria and parasite responsible for food borne illness.

Leading selenium specialists meeting in Prague this week have concluded that humans and animals alike across Europe typically fall short of the optimal dietary intake of the nutrient selenium.