Disease risks associated with free-ranging wild boar in Saskatchewan

Area of Science:

• Wildlife Health
• Veterinary Pathology
• Disease Surveillance

Background:

• Feral wild boar populations are increasing globally.
• Understanding disease prevalence in these populations is crucial for wildlife and domestic animal health.
• Limited data exists on the health status of wild boar in Saskatchewan.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the disease status of feral wild boar in Saskatchewan.
• To identify pathogens present in this population.
• To establish baseline health data for future monitoring.

Main Methods:

• Collected and analyzed samples (carcasses, tissues, serum) from 81 hunter-killed wild boars (2009-2014).
• Conducted serological tests for various swine diseases (PRRS, influenza, PCV-2, TGE/PRCV, Toxoplasma gondii, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Lawsonia intracellularis, Salmonella spp.).
• Performed PCR for PRRS, PCV2, and Torque teno virus; digestion assays for Trichinella spp.

Main Results:

• Negative results for PRRS, swine influenza, PCV-2, TGE/PRCV, Toxoplasma gondii, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, and Trichinella spp.
• High seroprevalence of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (20/20), including serotype 14 in 7/20 boars.
• Prevalence of Lawsonia intracellularis (16/20) and Salmonella spp. (1 positive, 6 suspicious).
• Torque teno virus detected in 1/8 boars.

Conclusions:

• Saskatchewan's feral wild boar population shows high seroprevalence for Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, notably serotype 14, previously unreported in North America.
• Lawsonia intracellularis and Salmonella spp. were also detected.
• Further surveillance is recommended to monitor disease dynamics in this expanding population.