According to interviews with vets by Radio Farmscape Online, the number of
fatal cases, caused by PCV associated diseases, has fallen as a consequence of
the use of vaccines.
Improvement
Dr Francois Cardinal , from Les Consultants Avi-Porc, said on affected farms
he saw 'a large improvement with vaccination'. After a period of general natural
improvement, he said mortality already dropped from 10% to 8%. "But now, with
the vaccine we see a 2 or 2.5% mortality in finishers."
Not having seen any hard numbers yet, Prof Dr John Harding from the Western
College of Veterinary Medicine at the Canadian University of Saskatchewan could
say he got 'very positive feelings'. "Circumstantial and evidence from the field
would certainly suggest that the vaccines are working at this point in time,
dropping the incidence down," Harding said.
PMWS
The most widely recognised manifestation of PCV
infection is Post-weaning Multisystem Wasting Syndrome (PMWS
), affecting piglets through weight loss and
general weakening.
The two vaccines used are manufactured and distributed by Merial (used on
sows, prior to farrowing) and Intervet (used on piglets at the time of
weaning).
Related websites:
