International workshop on feral swine disease and risk management

Feral (free-ranging) swine (Sus scrofa) are highly successful invasive mammals occupying at least 41 U.S. states and four Canadian provinces. The U.S. feral swine population is currently estimated at more than 6 million... [ view full abstract ]

Feral (free-ranging) swine (Sus scrofa) are highly successful invasive mammals occupying at least 41 U.S. states and four Canadian provinces. The U.S. feral swine population is currently estimated at more than 6 million animals. Feral swine, through their rooting and other feeding activities, annually cause millions of dollars in damage to agriculture, native species, and historic resources. Understanding and managing risks of disease spread from feral swine to livestock, wildlife and people are key objectives of the USDA APHIS National Feral Swine Damage Management Program (NFSDMP). As OIE Collaborating Centers, APHIS Veterinary Services Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health and the USGS National Wildlife Health Center co-sponsored an International Workshop on Feral Swine Disease and Risk Management in November 2014. This workshop, attended by 16 international and 20 U.S. experts on free-ranging swine, took place at APHIS VS offices in Fort Collins, Colorado USA. The workshop’s strategic goals were to establish relationships with international experts on free-ranging swine ecology and epidemiology, identify successes and failures from other global efforts to manage disease risks from feral swine, and to begin integrating lessons learned into the research and operational execution of the NFSDMP. Workshop topics included feral swine disease ecology, surveillance and diagnostics; socioeconomic factors influencing wild pig persistence and spread; and, transfer of research into effective policy for feral swine management. Here we present a summary of workshop outcomes.