LAUSR

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is among the most devastating diseases affecting the pig industry. Despite vaccines having been available for decades, the remarkable genetic variability of this virus, leading to poor cross-protection, has limited their efficacy and other measures must be adopted to effectively control the viral circulation. Some recent studies have investigated the factors involved in viral spreading and persistence, at least at local level. However, despite the topic's relevance, no statistically grounded evidence is currently available evaluating the variables more involved in PRRSV epidemiological success at a broader scale, like the European one. In the present study, an extensive phylodynamic and phylogeographic analysis was performed on more than one thousand ORF5 sequences to investigate the history, dynamics and spreading patterns of PRRSV within European borders. Moreover, several potential predictors, representative of swine population features and trade, human population, economy and geographic characteristics, were evaluated through a specifically designed generalized linear model (GLM) to assess their weight on viral migration rate between countries over time. Although pig stock density, mean PRRSV strains genetic diversity, investments in agriculture (including a likely role of vaccination) and farmer education were involved to a certain extent, the major determinant was proven to be by far the live pig trade. Providing a robust depiction of PRRSV European molecular epidemiology patterns and determinants, the present study could contribute to a more rational allocation of limited resources based on an effective prioritization of control measures This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.