What steps should be taken to wash and disinfect a farm in order to control PRRS virus during depopulation process?
The cleaning and disinfection process required to eliminate PRRS virus from a farm is no different than the cleaning and disinfection process that is routinely performed in any facility.
In fact, finishing barns that are positive for the disease during one batch are often negative the next if the pigs introduced are also negative.
Fig 1. Physical and chemical characteristics of PRRS virus. Source: HIPRA
However, in the case of a depopulation, and given the importance of the process, it is important to ensure good cleaning and disinfection, which will not only eliminate the PRRS virus but also other potential pathogens present on the farm.
Among the steps to follow would be:
Proper washing and disinfection should also include water lines and tanks.
Finally, we cannot forget to replace (or clean and disinfect) any equipment present on the farm such as: brushes, shovels, boards for moving pigs, boots, etc.
The washed and disinfected equipment, as well as the facilities, must be dried for 15 days before being used again.
If you want to know more about how cleaning and disinfection could affect PRRS virus, please visit the chapter “Physical and chemical characteristics”
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