The first presentation of the Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Swine Health Seminar focused on the control of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome which is better know as the PRRS virus. Dr. Laura Batista, DVM, Boehringer Ingelheim, provided a look at various projects to create area or regional control of the disease. She was also encouraging attendees to get involved or start projects in their area.
Laura says the BIVI team supports these projects and initiatives because the PRRS virus is the most important disease right now. She points to the $1.5 million it is costing the industry each day. The projects she has studied and supported range from very local areas (county) to very large regions (state). This is an international effort too. She’s been involved with projects in Canada, Mexico and now France. She says that the efforts have been pushed mostly by veterinarians so far but it really needs farmer/producer buy in and she says that has been coming along nicely. Laura Batista Interview