An Official Website of the Commonwealth of Kentucky
Wild pigs are one of, if not the, most active carriers of wildlife-related diseases in the U.S. Biologists have identified at least 45 different parasites and diseases that are transmissible by wild pigs and these threats extend far beyond native wildlife. In particular, wild pigs are common carriers of pseudorabies and swine brucellosis, a viral and bacterial infection that results in reproductive failure in domestic swine. As a result, the potential for just one transmission of either disease from a wild to domestic animal could have serious economic impacts on domestic swine production. Likewise, swine brucellosis is also transmissible to humans as a result of handling the reproductive tract of an infected female. In Kentucky, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed the presence of both pseudorabies and swine brucellosis from wild pigs in Kentucky.
Bacterial
Swine Brucellosis
Leptospirosis
Salmonella
E. Coli
Tularemia
Tuberculosis
Viral
Pseudorabies
Parasitic
Toxoplasmosis
Trichinellosis
What is it?Brucellosis is a disease in feral swine caused by Brucella suis. In the U.S., biovars 1 and 3 have been identified in feral swine.
How is it transmitted?In swine, B. suis transmission occurs primarily through sexual contact, but can also occur through mucosal membranes, damaged skin, or through ingestion of infected tissues.
Can it be transmitted to domestic swine and other livestock?Yes. In swine, infection can cause abortion, lameness, hind limb paralysis, inflamed testicles or mammary glands, and abscesses in various tissues or extremities. However, the domestic swine industry is considered brucellosis free. Asymptomatic infection with B. suis has been reported in cattle.
Can it be transmitted to humans?Yes. Humans become infected when blood, body fluids, or tissues from an infected animal come in contact with the eyes, nose, mouth, and cuts in the skin. Brucellosis in humans may cause fever, excessive perspiration, headache, muscle and joint pain, or fatigue.
What is it?Leptospirosis in feral swine is caused by members of the spirochete bacteria Leptospira interrogans, most commonly serovars bratislava and pomona.
How is it transmitted?Infectious leptospires are transmitted through direct contact with contaminated urine and reproductive tract fluids, or through indirect contact with contaminated lakes, creeks, and mud.
Can it be transmitted to domestic swine and other livestock?Yes. In swine, infection can cause abortion, fever, and a possible rash; however, infected feral swine may not show signs and still shed infective leptospires. Clinical signs of leptospirosis are similar in cattle and other livestock species.
Can it be transmitted to humans?Yes. Humans may become infected through direct contact with contaminated urine or indirectly through contaminated water that comes in contact with the skin, eyes, or mucosal membranes. Leptospirosis in humans can cause fever, headache, muscle aches, vomiting, jaundice, and diarrhea.
What is it?Salmonellosis is a disease caused by infection with Salmonella bacteria. It is one of the most common foodborne diseases.
How is it transmitted?Transmission occurs through ingestion of Salmonella bacteria.
Can it be transmitted to domestic swine and other livestock?Yes. In swine and other livestock species, no symptoms may be visible, or the bacteria can cause fever, diarrhea, and weakness.
Can it be transmitted to humans?Yes. Humans can become infected by eating contaminated food that has not been completely cooked, or has become contaminated after preparation. Salmonellosis in humans can cause headache, fever, abdominal cramps, or diarrhea.
What is it? Escherichia coli is a ubiquitous bacterium found in the intestines of humans and animals. Some strains are pathogenic and can cause food poisoning in humans.
How is it transmitted?Transmission of E. coli occurs through ingestion of fecal-contaminated material.
Can it be transmitted to humans?Yes. Humans can become infected by ingesting food contaminated with small amounts of fecal material. Infection with pathogenic E. coli can cause fever, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, or in some cases, death.
What is it?Tularemia, also called rabbit fever or deer fly fever, is a disease caused by Francisella tularensis.
How is it transmitted?The bacteria are transmitted through the bites of fleas, ticks, and other arthropods that have fed on infected wildlife, inhalation of contaminated particles, skin contact with infected animals, or ingestion of contaminated water.
Can it be transmitted to domestic swine and other livestock?Yes. In swine and other susceptible livestock species such as cattle and sheep, infection can cause fever, weakness, and enlarged lymph nodes when associated with a vector bite.
Can it be transmitted to humans?Yes. Tularemia spreads to humans through insect bites or direct exposure to an infected animal. Depending on the exposure route, tularemia in humans can cause skin ulcers at the site of a vector bite, inflammation of the eyes, sore throat, tonsillitis, cough, chest pain, and difficulty breathing.
What is it?Tuberculosis in feral swine is caused by Mycobacterium bovis. Molokai, Hawaii is the only place in the U.S. the disease has been reported in feral swine.
How is it transmitted? Mycobacterium bovis is transmitted through inhalation of bacteria exhaled in the air by infected animals, or through ingestion of contaminated tissues or feed.
Can it be transmitted to domestic swine and other livestock?Yes. In swine, cattle, and other livestock species, infection can cause weight loss, chronic cough, and enlargement of lymph nodes.
Can it be transmitted to humans?Yes. Humans become infected by eating or drinking contaminated or unpasteurized dairy products, through direct contact with a wound, or inhaling the bacteria in air exhaled by animals infected with M. bovis. Tuberculosis in humans may cause fever, chronic cough, chest pain, weakness, weight loss, or chills.
What is it?Pseudorabies (PRV), also called Aujeszky’s disease, is a disease caused by suid herpesvirus 1. Feral swine are considered the reservoir for PRV in the U.S., and the virus is widespread in feral swine populations.
How is it transmitted?In swine, PRV is primarily transmitted through sexual contact, nose-to-nose contact, or ingestion of infected tissues; however, transmission can occur via aerosolized virus, or contaminated equipment and clothing. Infected feral swine are long term carriers.
Can it be transmitted to domestic swine and other livestock?Yes. In young swine, infection can cause death, respiratory distress, and paddling. Infected adult swine may not display clinical signs, or they may abort fetuses. In livestock (cattle and sheep) and companion animals (dogs and cats), infection is almost always fatal. The domestic swine industry is considered pseudorabies free.
Can it be transmitted to humans?No.
What is it?Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii, one of the world’s most common parasites.
How is it transmitted? Toxoplasma gondii is primarily transmitted through the ingestion of encysted larvae in tissues or forage contaminated with cat feces. Cats are the natural hosts of T. gondii.
Can it be transmitted to domestic swine and other livestock?Yes. In swine and other livestock, there are usually no clinical signs, but it can cause mortality especially in young animals.
Can it be transmitted to humans?Yes. Humans can become infected via the ingestion of infective oocysts. Infection with T. gondii is a significant health risk to pregnant women and their fetuses, and to immunocompromised people.
What is it?Trichinellosis is a disease caused by the nematode (roundworm) Trichinella spiralis. Trichinellosis also is known as trichinosis.
How is it transmitted?In swine, T. spiralis is transmitted through the ingestion of tissues containing encysted larvae.
Can it be transmitted to domestic swine and other livestock?Yes. Domestic swine (higher risk for pasture-raised pigs) may become infected by ingesting the parasite in infected tissues or feces.
Can it be transmitted to humans?Yes. Humans can become infected from eating infected, undercooked meat. Trichinella spiralis in humans can cause fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.