In this ANIHWA project five European PRRS experts will join forces to better control highlt virulent/pathogenic PRRSV in Europe. Different pathogenetic aspects of infections with highly virulent/pathogenic PRRSV will be studied: (1) the mechanism allowing PRRSV to reproduce more quickly (target cells, new receptors), (2) immune suppression, (3) immunity-related increase of virus replication.
Based on the obtained results new vaccines (inactivated/attenuated) will be developed and tested. In parallel PRRSV surveillance on a European level will be initiated. The latter will allow the reseatchers to take the necessary correct measures in case of the emergence of a highly virulent/pathogenic PRRSV.