Feral hog tests positive for virus, which can be deadly to livestock
By ASHLEY TRUJILLO
Daily Press Staff Writer
Justin Stevenson, wildlife biologist for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services in New Mexico, confirmed the first case of pseudorabies in Eddy County in a feral hog on Tuesday.
Stevenson conducted the blood tests, which target three specific areas: pseudorabies, swine brucella, and swine flu, in early July. When the results came in early this week, he found that a two-year-old adult sow was infected with pseudorabies.
“It’s definitely something to be concerned about,” Stevenson said. “It causes sudden death in cattle and other domestic animals.”
Stevenson said that while it is unknown if the sow’s offspring have the virus, it is very likely the bore she bred with is infected.
At this time, it is unknown how widespread the virus could actually be among feral hogs in Eddy County.
Although 22 pigs have been tested in the county with only one positive case, Stevenson pointed out that his findings in Quay County began in a similar manner.
“We had already tested 23 or 24 pigs before we started finding positive pigs,” he said. “Although only one (in Eddy County) has been positive, we could start picking the positive pigs for testing.” … For the rest of the story, subscribe in print and on the web.
