Feral hogs pose a serious threat to the health of the U.S. pork industry specifically if African swine fever were to infect and spread in wild herds. There is no vaccine nor cure and the disease has a long track record of crossing international borders and wiping out billions of pigs.
Source: PORK, June 29, 2021. Link. Wild pigs have exploded in numbers across the U.S., possibly exceeding 6.5 million in just under 40 states, and their proliferation involves far more than a high birth rate and extreme intelligence. Wild pig control has become one of the greatest challenges in U.S. wildlife management history, and wild pig prosperity is partially due to the hog’s ability to thrive on a wide range of food sources including the fare offered in landfills.
INSIGHTS: The ASF threat feral hogs bring is not limited to rural areas. We’ve seen reports of golf courses and suburban lawns being destroyed when hog sounders take up residence nearby. It’s important for all animal health pros to stay abreast of feral hogs as fomites for ASF and other diseases, in addition to educating citizens of safety risks for pets and themselves.