PIGS & PROSPERITY ▶▶▶ The fight against viruses
Intensive pig husbandry has always been known for its high infection pressure due to the high stock- ing density and pigs’ susceptibility to diseases. Couple that with stress from management procedures, and the immune system will be severely challenged. For this reason, strict biosecurity measures have been developed for farmers to implement. How does this relate to the Covid-19 pandemic? Instead of ‘pigs’ and ‘farmers’, let us think about ‘humans’ and ‘governments’; there are some lessons to be learned in both directions. The pig industry has long-standing experience in the fight against diseases but can still learn from the measures taken during the ASF outbreaks and Covid-19 pandemic, and medics can learn from the practices on farms.
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Biosecurity One of the most important basics of keeping pigs healthy is good farm biosecurity. ‘Clean’ and ‘dirty’ areas are strictly separated. When this is well implemented and adhered to, healthy pigs stay healthy and potential viruses or ill pigs can affect only a small area of the farm. The biose-
curity in Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) and some modern pig farms, including showering and changing clothes between units, often exceeds hospital standards. The well-considered biosecurity planning of pig farms is something that other sectors can learn from.
Distancing High stocking density means faster spread of viruses. Whether allowing pigs more space (1.5m?) would help much is to be questioned. Like humans, they are social beings and will make contact with each other. More space for pigs would be a very good initiative for health and welfare, but if the focus is on fighting viruses then it may be more secure to invest in biosecurity.
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Quarantine and social isolation When new pigs arrive at the farm, quarantine is necessary to avoid diseases coming in with them. It is important that pigs in quarantine, as well as pigs in a hospital pen, are kept to- gether with at least two others. Social isolation is a very bad experience for pigs and will
result in stress and reduced immunity. The negative impact of social isolation should be considered better in both pigs and humans.
Hygiene Pig farms are not the cleanest of all places, but the strongly emphasised importance of washing hands to reduce the spread of Covid-19 also applies to diseases in pigs. Strict hygiene between animals and groups (especially litters of piglets) is essential in
reducing disease transmission.
Consistency in applying measures It only takes one exposure to get infected with Covid-19, and the ‘just this once’ family gathering can undo all the good work of keeping to the Cov- id-19 rules. Similarly, biosecurity in pig holdings needs to be maintained
consistently, even if it is annoying or easy to forget about. One minor inconsistency can have major consequences. The Covid-19 pandemic and ASF outbreaks are reminders of how fragile sectors are and how important it is to maintain caution when being responsible for the health of others around you, including pigs.
▶ PIG PROGRESS | Volume 37, No. 4, 2021
Irene Camerlink is an interdisciplinary research- er focusing on pig behaviour, welfare and production. She is attached to the Polish Academy of Sciences.
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