The role of infectious aerosols in disease transmission pigs

Airborne transmission is of significance for a number of infectious disease s in pigs. The general principles of the airborne pathway, including aeroso l production, decay and inhalation, are reviewed. Practical issues regardin g aerosol sampling and sample analysis are also discussed. Details of the a erobiology of porcine diseases, including foot-and-mouth disease, Aujesky's disease, and respiratory diseases, are explained. Some additional, potenti ally airborne diseases are discussed in terms of the evidence for their aer osol transmission. In order to prevent airborne diseases in pigs, dust redu ction, air filtration, air disinfection, vaccination and the establishment of disease-free regions could be considered. (C) 1999 Harcourt Publishers L td.