pTRACK: a new tool to assess and monitor biosecurity and management risks in pig farms

Boehringer Ingelheim presents a new tool to assess and monitor biosecurity and management risks in pig farms

31-03-2017

Article by:
Boehringer Ingelheim

• PRRS (Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome) is a complex disease that requires a systematic  and whole herd approach to control and the use of the best available tools.
• Biosecurity in pig farms plays a key role in PRRS control and some of the recommendations depend on the movement and flow of certain pathogen-carrying agents like people or objects.
• pTRACK is a Kit that allows tracing risks associated with pathogen carrying agents.
• The tool should be implemented as part of a detailed plan that includes staff training and clear assessment of the biosecurity risks for each farm.

When implementing a disease control plan is it essential to follow a systematic approach like the 5-step process. First, the goals and expectations for the particular farm must be set. Then the current status of the farm must be determined.  In the third step the constraints must be identified, namely biosecurity and management risks that we have in the farm or system. Considering the information of the previous 3 steps we can then design a proper set of solutions (step 4) and in the final step, we implement the solutions chosen and monitor the results (step 5).

On a daily basis, pig farms are facing multiple types of biosecurity risks, but some of them remain unnoticed.  Now, with p-TRACK (pathogen TRACing Kit), developed by Boehringer Ingelheim  it will be possible to trace and monitor multiple risks associated with pathogen carrying agents in the farms: tools, farm staff, or visitors, or other fomites.   Using p-TRACK, veterinarians and farmers can measure in real time risky events related with movements.

For example, p-TRACK can measure relative position inside or outside buildings of critical persons and tools. This feature allows the areas of the farm with more risky events to be easily identified and monitored.   In particular, one important biosecurity risks linked with new outbreaks, which is stepping outside the barn onto the dirty area of the loading dock can be detected and corrected. 

Boehringer Ingelheim  is committed to continue developing and offering new solutions and tools to help control PRRS and other challenging swine diseases.