PRRS imposes a substantial financial burden on US swine producers and causes approximately dollar 560.32 million in losses each year. By comparison, prior to eradication, annual losses attributable to classical swine fever (hog cholera) and pseudorabies were estimated at dollar 364.09 million and dollar 36.27 million, respectively (adjusted on the basis of year 2004 dollars). Current PRRS control strategies are not predictably successful; thus, PRRS-associated losses will continue into the future. Research to improve our understanding of ecologic and epidemiologic characteristics of the PRRS virus and technologic advances (vaccines and diagnostic tests) to prevent clinical effects are warranted.

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Introduction of PRRSv through importation of virus-contaminated pigmeat presents a high risk for establishment of the disease in the pig industry in New Zealand.

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During January-May 2015, we collected 150 serum samples (50 each from cattle, goats, and sheep) from live animal markets, abattoirs, and privately owned farms in different states in Nigeria. We collected cattle serum samples from the states of Sokoto (northwest, Sudan savannah zone), Borno (northeast, Sudan savannah), Benue (northcentral, Guinea savannah) and Oyo (southwest, rainforest) (Figure 1). Sokoto and Borno States have potential for transborder spread of diseases, such as CCHF, because they have borders with Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, 3 countries from which cattle are continually transported into Nigeria. We collected goat serum samples from the states of Lagos (southwest, rainforest), Oyo, and Sokoto and sheep serum samples from the states of Ogun (southwest, rainforest) and Oyo (Figure 1). All animals sampled were adults and apparently healthy at the time of sampling. We heat-inactivated serum samples (56°C, 30 min) and transported them on dry ice to Public Health England (Salisbury, UK) where they were stored at-20°C until used. Approval for this study was provided by the

African swine fever (ASF) is a viral disease of the pigs that was first described in Africa during the early part of the twentieth century. The disease has periodically occurred outside of Africa, including an ongoing epidemic in Europe and Asia that started in 2007; the disease has never occurred in Australia or New Zealand. Once introduced into a country, spread can occur through direct and indirect routes of transmission. Infected feral pig populations have the potential to act as a long‐term reservoir for the virus, making eradication difficult. Just before and throughout the period of clinical signs, ASF virus is shed in oronasal fluids, urine, faeces and blood. This results in contamination of the pig's environment, including flooring, equipment and vehicles. Transportation‐related risk factors therefore are likely to play an important role in ASF spread, though evidence thus far has been largely anecdotal. In addition to the existing AUSVETPLAN ASF plan, efforts should be made to improve transportation biosecurity, from the time a pig leaves the farm to its destination. Collection of data that could quantify the capabilities and capacity of Australia to clean and disinfect livestock trucks would help to determine if private and/or public sector investment should be made in this area of biosecurity. No peer‐reviewed research was identified that described a specific process for cleaning and disinfecting a livestock truck known to be contaminated with ASF virus, though literature suggests that transportation is an important route of transmission for moving the virus between farms and countries.

and Implications A net present value (NPV) analysis was performed to evaluate PRRS virus elimination from individual herds. The NPV analysis conducted for this study is the first analysis of which the authors are aware that accounts for the more severe negative production and economic consequences of a PRRS outbreak when a PRRS virus-free herd becomes reinfected. Two approaches to eliminating PRRS virus from a herd were evaluated: (1) complete depopulation and repopulation (CDR) of the herd with PRRS virus-free breeding animals and (2) herd closure and rollover (HCR). When HCR was the method of elimination, the time herds needed to remain PRRS virus-free to break even on the cost of elimination ranged from 4 months to 26 months. When CDR was the method of elimination, the time herds needed to remain PRRS virus-free to break even ranged from 18 to 83 months.

Based on the low frequency of lesions in pigs at commercial abattoirs, the health status of pigs in the New Zealand pig industry is considered to be very good. Pneumonia, pleurisy, and ascariasis are some of the most prevalent conditions that should be focussed on through development of herd health management plans.