Abstract:
Respiratory tract infections form the most important disease group affecting fattening pigs in Finland. Several porcine respiratory infections have been eliminated in Finland. Pleuropneumonia infections registered in abattoirs have increased and veterinarians treating pigs report an increase in acute respiratory tract infections. The likely cause is actinobacillosis, although a contributing factor and primary sensitiser could be swine influenza, which is a new disease to Finnish pigs, having arrived in Finland only in 2008.
The project is executed by the University of Helsinki pig research group and certain Evira research units. Funding has been sought to cover part of the salaries of a veterinary researcher, agrotechnology researcher and one economics researcher (Agrifood Research Finland MTT), as well as to cover the carcass pathology, virological and bacteriological analyses. The primary production group of the Finnish Meat Board has awarded the project EUR 75,000 for 3 years. These funds will be used to cover research costs incurred from gathering material and samples. From the pharmaceuticals industry, Vetcare Oy has granted the project EUR 10,000 for work concerning development of drug treatments. The project will submit applications to the foundations for additional funding for other research costs as the need arises.
The research project is closely connected with the resources of an individual farm and the whole meat production chain for managing the risks threatening their operation. An effective disease prevention programme helps to secure the competitiveness of pig production and the supply of pork. It also helps the production chain to take responsibility for animal welfare and meat quality. This project will provide concrete information on the planning and execution of disease-prevention measures that are applicable in practice by the industry. It particularly supports the focal points set for research by the Development Fund of Agriculture and Forestry, related to the management of a farming business and production chain (especially risk management), security of supply of livestock production, and its accountability.
Aims:
There is no comprehensive information on the incidence, risk factors and contribution to respiratory infections of actinobacillosis (pleuropneumonia) in pigs. The project aims are more effective diagnostics and improved prevention and pharmacotherapy. The intention is to assess the significance of respiratory infections occurring on farm level, and how an individual farm can most cost-effectively prevent infections. Evira will carry out the analyses of bacteriological and virological samples.
Keywords:
pig, respiratory tract infections, pleuropneumonia, swine influenza
Responsible project leader:
Heinonen, Mari, Professor, Veterinary Surgeon; Director, Production Animal Hospital, University of Helsinki
Person at Finnish Food Authority responsible for the Project:
Pelkonen, Sinikka, Professsor, Head of Unit, Veterinary Bacteriology Research Unit
In cooperation with:
University of Helsinki research group;
National Veterinary Institute, Sweden
Project status:
In progress
Year of commencement:
2010
Year of completion:
2018
Project is financed by:
MAKERA funding from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry to the University of Helsinki and Agrifood Research Finland MTT (ref. no. 2547/312/2009);
Finnish Meat Board primary production group;
Vetcare Oy
Finnish Food Authority project code:
8342