Diarrhea, common in piglets, leads to increased mortality, growth retardation, and significantly impacts the profitability of farms. Moreover, their treatment often relies on the use of antibiotics, which contributes to the development of antimicrobial resistance¹. This is why prevention is crucial. While vaccination has helped control certain historical diseases, new pathogens, such as rotavirus, now constitute a growing threat. Involved in nearly 50% of cases of neonatal diarrhea in western France², this highly infectious virus³ further emphasizes the need for effective preventive solutions.

An additional prevention solution to adapt to each farm

To address these prevention challenges, we made a first vaccine against rotavirus available to German and French farmers and veterinarians in 2023. Now, to complement our offer, we are offering a second vaccine dedicated to the prevention of neonatal diarrhea in piglets in Germany, France, and soon in Austria. The objective of this second vaccine? To offer farmers and veterinarians a choice of solutions adapted to the imperatives of different types of farms. This new vaccine solution is the first in the countries concerned to cover the three main pathogens responsible for neonatal diarrhea:

• Escherichia coli (serotypes F4ac, F5, F6 and F41);
• Clostridium perfringens (type C, beta toxoid);
• Rotavirus type A.

By targeting these three major pathogens⁴, we contribute to preserving the health of piglets from birth and optimizing farm performance.
At Virbac, we provide swine veterinarians and farmers with solutions that prioritize prevention and more sustainable farming practices. We offer a transversal management of pig health, which combines field audits, services, vaccination, micronutrition and a reasoned use of treatments. Our objective: to prevent and limit the impact of diseases, with the constant concern to preserve both animal health and farm performance.

<sub>1. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of antibiotic consumption on antibiotic resistance, Bell et al., BMC Infectious Diseases 2014,
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2. Diarrhée néonatale du porcelet : fréquence des rotavirus dans les cas cliniques d’élevage dans l’Ouest de la France. Couteau et al., 2022. Poster. Congrès AFMVP Rennes. Décembre 2022.
3. Minimal infective dose of the OSU strain of porcine rotavirus. Payment P., Morin P., 1990. Arch Virol. 112:277-282
4. On the infectious causes of neonatal piglet diarrhoea - A review, Jacobson M., Vet. Sci. 2022, 9, 422.</sub>