PRRSV (porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus) is a major economically significant pathogen that has adversely impacted the global swine industry for almost 30 years. Currently PRRSV is estimated to cause losses of almost US$600 million per year in the USA. Except for new mutants that continually emerge during PRRSV outbreaks, our understanding of the virology, origin, and evolution of PRRSV and the host's immune response are largely inadequate. Such limited knowledge impedes development of effective methods to eradicate this virus. In this review, we systematically describe recent advances in anti-PRRSV research, especially focusing on those techniques with the potential to transform current anti-PRRSV strategies. Furthermore, a combination of these new techniques may provide creative insights to guide future PRRSV control and prevention.