Elanco Animal Health, a division of Eli Lilly & Co., announced June 11 the U.S. Department of Agriculture licensing of Prevacent PRRS, a modified-live respiratory vaccine that has been shown to be effective in the reduction of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), respiratory form, in piglets two weeks or older.

Since its emergence in the late 1980s, PRRS has cost the swine industry millions annually in respiratory disease in piglets and reproductive failure in sows, Elanco said.

“PRRS has grown to be a costly and challenging disease that is difficult to control at the local, regional and national levels,” said Chris Chavis, senior director, Elanco North America Food Animal Business. “We are eager to bring producers a new product to tackle this devastating disease.”

Currently, it is estimated that PRRS costs the swine industry $560-660 million annually, with the breeding herd costs accounting for 45% of the total industry cost.

Long-lasting immunity

“Elanco is excited to be able to provide producers and the entire swine industry with a new product that is proven effective against the respiratory form of PRRS,” Chavis said. “Not only is it safe to use in piglets two weeks or older, Prevacent PRRS has a demonstrated duration of immunity of 26 weeks for the respiratory form of PRRS.”

The viral strain in Prevacent PRRS is highly relevant to today’s swine operations so producers can be confident that they are getting effective protection against the respiratory form of PRRS for their piglets, Elanco said.

“The contemporary strain in Prevacent PRRS demonstrated cross protection against multiple difficult viral strains that may pose a threat to swine operations. Prevacent PRRS is a timely and effective solution for to meet the PRRS challenges producers are facing today,” Chavis said.

Prevacent PRRS is a key part of Elanco’s Full Value Pigs, which includes a complete portfolio of products that help to control specific enteric and respiratory diseases.

Elanco provides comprehensive products and knowledge services to improve animal health and food-animal production in more than 70 countries around the world.