The wild boar (Sus scrofa) – victim and ally of the most important viral infections in europe

Divlja je svinja jedna od najstarijih preživjelih vrsti životinja na euroazijskom području. Danas je proširena u Europi, Aziji, Africi, a uvedena je i na područje Sjeverne Amerike. Zbog svoje visoke prilagodljivosti, klimatskih promjena, načina gospodarenja lovištima i malog broja prirodnih neprijatelja, divlja je svinja najmanje ugrožena vrsta životinja i njezin broj sustavno raste. Danas ona predstavlja ugrozu poljoprivrednicima kojima nanosi štete, a zbog hrane ulazi i u prigradska te gradska okružja. Prepoznata je za jednog od najznačajnijih rezervoara virusnih infekcija životinja, ali i nekih zoonoza. Naime, divlja svinja može doći neposredno i posredno u dodir s domaćim životinjama te na taj način prenijeti uzročnike virusnih infekcija. Obzirom da je lov jedna od važnijih turističkih ponuda Hrvatske, a divlja svinja jedna od najtrofejnijih divljih životinja, dodir divlje svinje s ljudima može ugroziti i zdravlje ljudi. U ovom smo radu opisali ulogu divljih svinja pri prijenosu najznačajnijih virusnih infekcija u svinjogojskoj industriji Europe, poput šireće afričke svinjske kuge te nama poznate klasične svinjske kuge i za druge vrste životinja poput bolesti Aujeszkoga. Opisali smo i značenje divlje svinje kao rezervoara virusa hepatitisa E, danas sve značajnije zoonoze. Ujedno je dat osvrt na moguću pojavnost navedenih infekcija ili njihovu prisutnost u divljih svinja s područja Republike Hrvatske.The wild boar is one of the oldest animal species in Eurasia. Currently, it is spread throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, and was introduced into North America in the 1920s. Due to its great adaptability, hunting ground management, its lack of natural enemies, and favorable climate changes, the wild boar is an animal species whose conservation status is of least concern and which is increasing in numbers. However, it presents a threat to farmers due to the losses caused by it eating and damaging crops. Furthermore, the wild boar is entering the suburbs or even centers of cities, and since it is known that wild boars may be sources of infectious diseases for different animal species, as well as numerous zoonoses, direct and indirect contact may cause interspecies transmission and the spread of viruses. Hunting may also be a risk factor in viral spread, since wild boar hunting is a significant tourist attraction in Europe, including Croatia, and wild boars are a prestigious trophy. Hunted wild boar carcasses and blood may be sources of infection not only for animals but for humans as well. This is a review regarding the role of wild boars as reservoirs of the most important viral infections in the swine industry in Europe, such as African swine fever (ASF), classical swine fever (CSF) and Aujeszky’s disease (AD). Even though ASF has never been reported in Croatia, its continuous spread throughout Europe is cause for concern. Currently, the infection is 200 km from Croatia’s borders, and early preparedness measures have been taken. CSF has been one of the most devastating diseases in swine production in Croatia. The last outbreak was recorded in 2006-2008. However, surveillance programs are still being implemented to ensure the healthy status of swine and wild boars. AD has been diagnosed in wild boars, and sporadic cases of infection in hunting dogs have occurred in the last decade. Therefore, the infection is still a threat to the swine industry. We have also described the importance of wild boars as reservoirs of hepatitis E (HE), an emerging public health problem and zoonosis. The Croatian Veterinary Institute has been involved in epidemiological studies of HE since 2007. However, a thorough investigation involving the testing of domestic pigs, wild boars and other wild and domestic animal species started in 2009. Currently, the domestic pig and wild boar are the only animal reservoirs of HE in Croatia, but wild boar may be chronically infected and spread the virus for months