Rare Naturally Recombinant Swine Virus Emerges in China
Recently, news came from the Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences that a rare, naturally recombinant porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus strain has been discovered by Chinese researchers. This study can provide important reference for the prevention and control of swine diseases, and the related research results have been published in the internationally renowned journal Journal of Virology.
According to An Tongqing, associate researcher at the Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus is mainly characterized by reproductive disorders and respiratory symptoms in pregnant sows, with a high mortality rate. The virus is prone to mutation, which hinders epidemiological and prevention and control research. In 2006, a large-scale outbreak of highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome occurred in China, causing huge losses to the pig industry.
The Animal Pathogen Surveillance and Molecular Epidemiology Innovation Team of the Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences spent nearly 10 years carrying out extensive surveillance and research, and found that an imported North American strain and a local epidemic strain had undergone natural recombination. Further research confirmed that this strain was formed by natural recombination between an imported North American branch strain and the highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus currently circulating in China, thereby causing disease in infected pigs. This situation is truly rare in infectious disease epidemiology.
According to Cai Xuehui, chief scientist of the innovation team, the results of this study provide scientific and clinical guidance for carrying out epidemiological surveillance of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and formulating effective vaccine prevention and control strategies, thereby preventing and containing the further spread and diffusion of imported North American strains and their recombinant strains.