Swine brucellosis is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by the bacterium Brucella suis, of which there are five biotypes or strains. Brucellosis represents a significant disease of domestic swine, which had been all but eliminated from domestic herds …
Pseudorabies Virus in Feral Hogs
Pseudorabies virus (PRV), also known as Aujeszky’s disease, is an infectious viral disease that is caused by the Suid herpesvirus 1 (SuHV-1). The name “pseudorabies” means “rabies like” or “false rabies;” however, PRV is a herpes virus and is not …
Feral Hogs: Friend or Foe?
Diverse Opinions
Whether feral hogs are a friend or foe is a matter of perspective. Opinions vary widely, ranging from apathy to eradicating a pest species or to the thrill of hog hunting.
Feral Hogs as Pests
Feral hogs are …
Feral Hog Diseases and Health Risks
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| Figure 1. Hunter wearing gloves while field dressing a feral hog. Photo courtesy of Jim Cathey |
In general, feral hogs have the potential to contract and transmit all of the diseases of domestic swine. Because of this, feral hogs have …
Quick Facts on Feral Hogs
Feral hog numbers are on the rise in the United States. Likewise the problems they cause are also growing. With attention on this invasive species, many myths are circulating about feral hog history, distribution, biology, and damage. The following bullets …
Feral Hog Attacks on Humans
Feral hog (also called wild hogs and wild pigs; Sus scrofa) attacks on people are rare and uncommon. In the United States, four people have died from feral hog attacks since the late 1800s—three victims were attacked by a …
Vehicle Collisions with Feral Hogs
Feral Hogs versus Vehicles
Vehicle collisions with feral hogs (also called wild hogs and wild pigs; Sus scrofa) are known to occur in the United States. As the population size of these animals increases, the frequency of feral hog-vehicle …
Nuisance Problems with Feral Hogs
Although feral hogs (also called wild hogs and wild pigs; Sus scrofa) are a big game resource in the United States, these non-native animals are almost always classified as an undesirable invasive species. Feral hogs cause a large …