USDA-APHIS has confirmed pseudorabies (PRV) infection in two feral hogs in Calaveras County, California.  The virus responsible for PRV will infect a range of livestock and pets.

The infection is spread by direct contact or through contaminated equipment and clothing. Herds can be contaminated through feeding uncooked swill containing infected pork.

This case confirms the danger of feral hogs that are increasing in their numbers and distribution in the U.S. and Canada. EGG-NEWS has frequently urged more intensive Federally-funded feral-hog eradication programs in advance of an outbreak of ASF, foot and mouth disease and other infections. 

In the event of introduction of African swine fever into the U.S., with extension to the feral hog population, control would be extremely challenging. Ultimately, eradication would be impossible thereby endangering domestic pork production and the export market. Fortunately for APHIS pigs do not fly as do marine birds and waterfowl that will continue to re-introduce HPAI on a seasonal and regional basis.