Pathogenesis and control of the Chinese highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus

•Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of HP-PRSV infection were mentioned.•Pathological pathogenesis of HP-PRRSV infection was reviewed.•Immunological aspects of HP-PRRSV infection were stated.•Molecular pathogenesis of HP-PRRSV virulence was reviewed.•Control of HP-PRRSV infection in China was stated. Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) has remained a major threat to the worldwide swine industry ever since its first discovery in the early 1990s. Under the selective pressures in the field, this positive-stranded RNA virus undergoes rapid genetic evolution that eventually leads to emergence in 2006 of the devastating Chinese highly pathogenic PRRSV (HP-PRRSV). The atypical nature of HP-PRRSV has caused colossal economic losses to the swine producers in China and the surrounding countries. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis, evolution and ongoing field practices on the control of this troubling virus in China.