Control of a Reassortant Pandemic 2009 H1N1 Influenza Virus Outbreak in an Intensive Swine Breeding Farm: Effect of Vaccination and Enhanced Farm Management Practices

Conclusions Although our study design was sub-optimal for evaluating the effectiveness of the intervention, we provided suggestive evidence that H1N1pdm-targeted vaccination in sows/gilts, enhanced biosecurity, lengthening of weaning cycles, and constrains in cross-fostering of piglets may prove useful in controlling a reassortant H1N1pdm outbreak in an intensive swine breeding farm without possibility of applying an all-in/all-out system. Maternally-derived immunity was elicited and further virus circulation in piglets dropped to undetectable levels, while keeping farm productivity at full. The present field study also supports the concept that vaccination is part of a wider control strategy and its success may depend on combination of other control measures. As IAV prevalence is quite high in many swine-rich areas of the world,5,6,4,35,36,37,38 knowledge concerning virus circulation and effect of control measures is needed to have an impact at the herd level. This study provides an empirical assessment of AIV infection levels and colostral immunity in a swine herd under control interventions crucial to reduce both losses for swine producers and the risk to public health. Competing Interest The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
Source: PLOS Currents Outbreaks - Category: Epidemiology Authors: Source Type: research