The University of Minnesota Swine Group is seeking sow farms and grow-finish farms that have recently broken with PRRSV-2 variant 1C.5.32, variant 1A.2, or 1H.18 to contribute to a research study on PRRSV-2 virulence. This study addresses the virulence and production impacts of a novel PRRSV-2 variant, denoted as 1C.5.32, which began spreading rapidly in the Midwest in late 2024. We aim to quantify this new variant’s virulence and production impacts in sow farms and nursery-age pigs in comparison to other prevalent variants (1A.2 and 1H.18), and quantify the role of co-infections in shaping PRRSV severity.
Eligibility:
- Sow farms and grow-finish farms with recent PRRSV-2 outbreaks associated with 1C.5.32, 1A.2, or 1H.18.
- Willingness to share production records, especially related to mortality, morbidity, vaccination history, and interventions from ~5 months prior to outbreak onset through ~5 months post-outbreak
- Located within 4 hours of Twin Cities (or willingness of field veterinarian to collect and send samples to UMN).
Farm sampling:
Sow farm sampling: 30 serum samples from piglets from each farm near the onset (~week 3-4) of the PRRSV-2 outbreak. If a sow farm remains PRRSV-positive four months later, an additional set of samples from 30 additional piglets will be requested from the farm.
Nursery-aged pig sampling: 30 serum samples from nursery-age pigs from each farm ~6-8 weeks post-placement (sow farm PRRSV-2 positive with a variant of interest). The samples will include blood/serum samples from individual pig, as well as oral fluid samples from ropes.
If you are interested in participating or have questions about eligibility, please contact Dr. Kim VanderWaal (kvw@umn.edu) or Dr. Mariana Kikuti (mkikuti@umn.edu).
This study is funded by the University of Minnesota Rapid Agricultural Response Fund.