1000/1000
Hot
Most Recent
This video is adapted from 10.3390/ani13111830
The processes of globalization, human activities, and the growing popularity of outdoor ecological pork production contribute to increased interactions between domestic pigs and wildlife. Wild animals and pests can carry harmful pathogens that pose a threat to domestic pigs, resulting in economic losses at the local, national, and global levels. However, our understanding of the specific pathways through which these pathogens are transmitted between these animals is limited. This review has collected and examined information on the diversity and extent of pathogen spread from various wild animals and pests to domestic pigs. In the European context, our assessment showed that wild boars accounted for 80% of the documented pathogen transmission, followed by rodents (7%) and deer (6%). Insects, wild carnivores, wild birds, cats, and badgers had a lower representation in the studies. Farms with low biosecurity levels, particularly in extensive rearing systems, were identified as higher-risk farms. In general, 65.5% of the included studies supported possible risks and risk factors with quantitative data. Based on these findings, it is recommended to implement proper farm biosecurity measures, strong fences, and control programs for rodents, pets, and insects, particularly in high-risk areas. It is also crucial to monitor wildlife and raise awareness among farmers about the risks associated with disease transmission.