Feral Swine Disease Risks to Livestock

Feral Swine Disease Risks to Livestock
Why are feral swine a concern for livestock?
Feral swine can carry a large number of pathogens and parasites that can
affect livestock and are known to transmit up to 34 diseases. Nearly 58%
of all livestock farms and 77% of all livestock are located in regions with
feral swine. Infection with these pathogens can result in reduced
productivity and even livestock deaths, which has a negative economic
impact on producers. Feral swine also prey on lambs, calves, or other
newborn animals and may even attack animals that are giving birth,
leading to further financial losses.

How do livestock become infected?
• Direct contact. Feral swine have sharp tusks and can be aggressive towards livestock especially
when feed is available. This can lead to injury or disease transmission to livestock.

• Indirect contact. If feral swine are allowed to access pastures or water sources meant for livestock,
feral swine can leave behind feces or urine that can infect livestock if ingested.

- Contaminated feed. When livestock feed is left easily accessible, such as in troughs on the
ground or stored outside, feral swine can contaminate the feed with their urine, feces, or
respiratory secretions.

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Contaminated water. Feral swine seek out water sources for drinking and wallowing, including
watering troughs and ponds. This behavior can result in water contaminated with feral swine
urine or feces which may contain harmful bacteria, parasites, or other pathogens.

Feral swine in livestock paddock

Feral swine contaminate feed

Feral swine in
feeder with cattle

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Feral Swine Disease Risks to Livestock
Diseases of Concern for Domestic Livestock
Disease
Brucellosis (Brucella suis)
Leptospirosis
Pathogenic E. Coli
Salmonellosis
Tuberculosis
Tularemia
Influenza A
Porcine Circovirus Type 2
Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea
Porcine Reproductive & Respiratory Syndrome
Pseudorabies

Cattle

Swine

Sheep/Goats

Dogs

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Toxoplasmosis
Q Fever
Trichinellosis

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How can I protect my domestic animals?
• If feral swine are in your area, take additional precautions to prevent them from contacting your livestock.
See the map to determine where feral swine currently exist.
• Store feed in barns to prevent feral swine from accessing feed
whenever possible.

Feral swine presence by county 2016

• Avoid feeding in troughs or on the ground which can increase
the risk of pathogen transmission since feral swine can easily
access the feed.
• Prevent feral swine access to water sources used by domestic
swine when possible.
• Prevent direct contact between feral swine and livestock when
possible by maintaining fences and keeping livestock in barns,
especially at night.

Want to learn more?
If feral swine are a threat to your livestock and a challenge to manage on
your property Wildlife Services is here to help. For more information contact
your local Wildlife Services program at 1-866-4-USDA-WS
or visit www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife-damage/stopferalswine

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service