Porcine Health Management
Research domains and project about porcine health management
Expertise
The unit of porcine health management aims to improve health, production, and welfare, and performance of pigs at a national and international level. To this end, applied research is performed in the following main areas:
- Infectious disease in pigs (with a focus on the porcine respiratory disease complex)
- Production diseases in pigs affecting animal welfare, health, and production (e.g. heat stress, mortality, lameness, urolithiasis, skin lesions)
- Reproduction and production (e.g. periparturient problems, pig vitality, colostrum intake, sow culling)
- Biosecurity, herd health management, prudent use of antimicrobials
Clinical research
The research unit also performs clinical-oriented research based on health, welfare, and production problems observed in affected pig farms.
The research unit collaborates extensively and sustainably with various national and international research groups, veterinary practices, diagnostic laboratories, government organizations, and the industry.
Projects
|
Name |
About |
Start date |
|
RECOMVAX |
Deciphering the role of recombination between PRRSV vaccine and wild-type strains in the field (FOD) |
01-10-2025 |
|
BreedingGilts |
Infection levels in purchased breeding gilts during quarantine and first gestation (VP) |
01-01-2025 |
|
PIGLIFE |
Herd-specific approach to reduce piglet mortality via innovative tools and monitoring (Vlaio) |
01-10-2024 |
|
AIRPIG |
Air sampling method as a tool for detection and surveillance of respiratory pathogens in pig herds (FOD) |
01-10-2024 |
|
Mhyo CSC 2 |
Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae vaccination, quarantine and infection levels (CSC) |
01-10-2024 |
|
Mhyo CSC 1 |
Characterization of immune responses upon Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae vaccination and infection (CSC) |
01-10-2023 |
|
BETTER |
Biosecurity Enhanced Through Training Evaluation and Raising Awareness (BETTER) (COST) |
01-09-2022 |
|
PEN |
The importance of ear biting in the development of porcine ear necrosis (VP) |
01-10-2023 |
|
ZEUSTERF |
Causes of sow mortality in Belgian pig farms (VP) |
01-10-2022 |
|
TechPEPCon |
Use of frontline technologies to screen pathogens, environment, and pigs for better disease control on pig farms (ICRAD, Vlaio) |
01-10-2021 |
|
PEN |
Ear necrosis in pigs: evolution of lesions and assessment of pathogens (VP) |
01-01-2021 |
|
BRACHY |
Whole genome sequencing of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae (VP) |
01-01-2021 |
|
COOLPIGS |
Heat plan for Flemish pig farming (Vlaio) |
01-12-2020 |
|
KREU |
Lameness in pigs: overview of possible control strategies and efficacy assessment (VP) |
01-10-2020 |