Disease Concerns Associated with Feral Pigs

Authors: Josh Helcel, James Long, James Cathey

Negative impacts associated with feral pigs (Sus scrofa) extend to agricultural production, water quality, habitat, native species, the human-wildland interface and beyond. Their populations continue to expand across North America and occur today on every continent except Antarctica. Further they transmit diseases to livestock, native and exotic wildlife species, companion animals and even humans. Feral pigs harbor at least 65 bacterial, viral or parasitic infectious agents and threaten agricultural production, agricultural supply chains, and public health. In this publication, we address disease concerns endemic to feral populations and domestic pig herds throughout North America and abroad. We also provide management implications and safety precautions that can be enacted to help minimize the risk of disease transmission when handling and processing feral pigs or using outdoor areas where feral pigs may be present.