The infectious load in the pig stable

In the modern intensive, large-scale pig production, first-rate hygienic conditions with a low infectious load are necessary to prevent disease outbreaks. In this respect, the concept of “all in-all out” with emptying, thorough cleaning and disinfection between each batch of animals constitutes the basis for good hygienic standards on the pig farm. The infectious load within a pen or a stable consists mainly of microbes that are transmitted from the animals to their environment. The microbes will persist in the environment and will further be transmitted to other animals. These microbes may be “true” pathogens causing overt disease; they may be non-pathogenic commensals that do not exert any effect on the animal (but can serve as indicators of e.g. pen hygiene), or they may be opportunistic pathogens that are capable of causing disease under the right circumstances or if present in sufficient numbers (i.e. a high infectious load).

Usually, the solid pen floor is made of concrete in various qualities and with various finishing. Concrete is a cheap and strong material but has some limitations with respect to hygiene and physical comfort. During recent years, methods for floor-finishing have been employed in order to provide a surface with a friction suitable for the intended category of animals and that simultaneously will improve the possibilities for cleaning. An important shortage is the lack of standardised and validated methods to measure the infectious load in animal housing systems, and the lack of knowledge on how the flooring structure will affect the effect of cleaning and disinfection.