| Description |
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is characterised by reproductive failure of sows and respiratory problems of piglets and growing pigs. The disease is caused by the PRRS virus, a virus currently classified as a member of the order Nidovirales, family Arteriviridae, genus Arterivirus. The primary target cell of the virus is the alveolar macrophage of the pig. Two major antigenic types of the virus exist, the type 1 (European) and the type 2 (American). The virus is primarily transmitted via infected pigs but also by faeces, urine, semen and saliva. |