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Feral Swine Disease Risks to Livestock

Why are feral swine a concern for livestock? 

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

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. 

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.

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.

How do livestock become infected?

Feral swine in livestock paddock

Feral swine in 

feeder with cattle

Feral swine contaminate feed

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Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Feral Swine Disease Risks to Livestock

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.

• 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.

How can I protect my domestic animals? 

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

Diseases of Concern for Domestic Livestock

Disease Cattle Swine Sheep/Goats Dogs

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Brucellosis (Brucella suis) 

Leptospirosis

Pathogenic E. Coli 

Salmonellosis

Tuberculosis

Tularemia

Influenza A k k k 

Porcine Circovirus Type 2 k 

Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea k 

Porcine Reproductive & Respiratory Syndrome k 

Pseudorabies k k k 

Toxoplasmosis k k 

Q Fever k k 

Trichinellosis k k 

Feral swine presence by county 2016

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