The Role of Animal Hygiene and Health Management in Pig Production

The word “hygiene” (etym: from Greek: “hugiainein” or “hugieinon” = to express good health and welfare) refers to this part of medicine dealing with the environment where human beings are due to live and to the way of manipulating it so as to maintain health and welfare (Larousse dictionary, 1972). In veterinary medicine, it embraces the rules and practices aimed at maintaining animal health and welfare. Those aspects of biosecurity in particular those regarding human health protection and environmental preservation in relation to animal keeping are also included. Applied microbiology and applied epidemiology are two major scientific pillars of animal hygiene whereas prevention through an integrated approach is the key objective (Ekesbo 1988). Hence this is far broader than the common current acceptation of the word hygiene in the general public. The latter uses to restrict the sense of the word to designate cleanliness or decontamination. Needless to mention the role of animal hygiene in pig production. The point is of particular importance in so-called multifactorial diseases or syndromes where the environment enveloping the pig is making the decision whether or not a given potential pathogen induces serious damages. On the other hand the pathogens must be kept outside the herds as far as possible. Therefore this paper will consider biosecurity. Then enzootic diseases the pig is familiar with in our confined intensive systems will be focused on.