Disease Risks Associated with Increasing Feral Swine Numbers and Distribution in the United States

SUMMARY Feral Swine in the United States are expanding their range, both on their own and with human assistance. They are a destructive invasive species that affects many human, agricultural, and natural resources but adequate funding for addressing this serious threat has not been available. While the physical damage they cause is substantial in itself, the most compelling justification for aggressive control of feral swine populations comes from their associated disease risks and the role they may play in emergence of new viruses that can potentially affect human and animal health and the world’s economy. In consideration of these substantial risks, prudence requires that the United States mount a coordinated, comprehensive feral swine control program. Such a program will require at minimum legislation/regulation changes; a sustained, multi-dimensional public education effort; overt and covert law enforcement, and an aggressive, adequately funded, control effort to succeed. The Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Wildlife and Fish Health Committee recommends an aggressive effort, conducted by both state and federal agencies, to attempt to halt the spread of feral swine populations and, where possible, reduce or eliminate existing populations. This effort can only be undertaken by the infusion of additional funds from state and federal levels and the establishment of a national, coordinated effort with all entities cooperating. References Cited Andrew, G. 2001. Foot-and-Mouth Disease: A review of the facts. Kansas Veterinary Quarterly 4(2): 1-2. Adams, C. E., B. J. Higginbotham, D. R. Rollins, R. B. Taylor, R. Skiles, and M. Mapston. 2005. Regional perspectives and opportunities for feral hog management in Texas. Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA. Alexandersen, S., and A. I. Donaldson. 2002. Further studies to quantify the dose of natural aerosols of foot-and-mouth disease virus in pigs. Epidemiology and Infection 128(2): 313-323. Amass, S. 1998. Swine diseases that have affected humans. Purdue Animal Issues Briefing, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA. Bergman, D. L., M. D. Chandler, and A. Locklear. 2002. Economic impact of invasive species to Wildlife Services' cooperators. Pages 169-178