Survey of wild boar hunter interactions with pig farming in central Europe. Issue 1 (14th December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jánoska, Ferenc; Nagy, Eszter; Tari, Tamás; Nagy, Rebeka Ráhel; Halász, Tibor; Varga, Gyula; Kovács, Melinda; Kemenszky, Péter; Nagy, Gábor; Csivincsik, Ágnes
• Is Part Of: Veterinary medicine and science. Volume 9:Issue 1(2023)
• Page Start: 465
• Page End: 470
• Publication Date: 2022-12-14
• Subjects: African swine fever -- anthropogenic transmission risk -- backyard pig -- one health -- socioeconomic; Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; Animal Diseases; Veterinary medicine; Periodicals; Periodicals; 636.08905
• DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1030
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2053-1095

Abstract

Abstract: African swine fever (ASF) is a fatal animal disease without zoonotic potential but greatly impacts human well‐being, especially in the most vulnerable human communities. In Europe, ASF concerns mostly the wildlife domain of health. The main vector of the disease is confirmed to be the wild boar, though long‐distance jumps of the infection are due to anthropogenic effects. This study aimed to evaluate the potential role of hunting assistant personnel (beaters and carcass handlers) in ASF spread in Hungary. Based on a personal interview survey, we attempted to identify the epidemiological risk caused by hunting activities and the hunting personnel. The interviews with 58 hunting workers confirmed that an extent backyard pig sector (13 pig farmers) and pork production system (31 pork producers) existed within the study region out of the authorities' sight. Two pig farmers did not wear special working clothes for pig caring, seven pork producers disposed of slaughter offal in the settlements periphery, and six persons regularly contacted distant pig farms. The revealed knowledge, attitude, and practice of the questioned pig farmers suggested that this sector would be very vulnerable in an epidemic situation; moreover, backyard farms would cause a great risk for wildboar populations. Considering that the study region is the third poorest region of Hungary, these findings called attention to the high epidemiologic risk of socioeconomic inequality between different regions within the European Union. Abstract : The study aimed to evaluate the potential role of hunting events in ASF spread in Hungary. The recorded interviews revealed that an extent backyard pig sector and pork production system is operated by the low‐income hunting workers. The findings called attention to the high epidemiologic risk of socioeconomic inequality between different European regions.