Control of Porcine Circovirus Disease (PCVD) - General measures

If a PCVD outbreak is suspected, the following should be carried out:

• Ensure an accurate diagnosis. PCVD can look like many other diseases. Confirmation requires a veterinarian’s guidance. Physical examination of the pigs necropsies and laboratory confirmation of the infection and presence of porcine circovirus-2 (PCV-2) associated lesions are required.
• Identify concurrent infections at the farm, site or system.
• Eliminate or minimize porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome effects. Implement practices such as breeding herd stabilization, pig flow changes and/or vaccination.
• Eliminate or minimize the effects of swine influenza virus co-infection. Such practices may include breeding herd and pig vaccination.
• Determine if porcine parvovirus is present; if so, consider vaccinating growing pigs.
• Minimize the effect of Mycoplasmal pneumonia. Consider vaccinating pigs and/or applying strategic-pulse medication.
• Evaluate the use and timing of herd vaccinations. If herd evidence suggests an association between vaccination practices and PCVD, re-evaluate the need and timing of those in use. Vaccination of pigs 5 to 7 weeks before PCVD occurs is recommended. PCV-2 infection typically occurs in pigs 10 to 14 weeks old.
• Treat bacterial co-infections, which means using the antimicrobials that target those co-infections.
• Consider using vitamin E and selenium.
• Consider using enhanced diets. Specifically, diets with increased plasma protein can help pigs that are slow to respond to treatment.
• Remove pigs from the group that don’t respond to treatment.
• Disinfect buildings and transport vehicles with products demonstrated to be effective against PCV-2.
• Investigate the health status of pig sources. There is evidence that host susceptibility to PCVD differs.
• Implement segregated-early weaning practices and strict biosecurity protocols.
• Discuss the implementation of a PCV vaccination program with your veterinarian.

 (Adapted from Pat Halbur’s, DVM, and Tanja Opriessnig’s, DVM, from Iowa State University, presentation at the 2006 American Association of Swine Veterinarians Annual Meeting.)