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Pseudorabies

Pseudorabies is a disease caused by a herpesvirus that is harbored by wild pigs. Despite its name, it is not related to rabies and does not infect people. However, the disease is of great importance to the swine industry because the infection weakens pigs leaving them susceptible to other problems. It also can cause abortions and stillbirths. Adult swine can be silent carriers of pseudorabies and will periodically shed the virus that causes it through nose and mouth. Once infected, the pig is a lifetime carrier, and there is no effective treatment. Pseudorabies can be detected by blood testing and evidence of the infection in wild pigs has been found in 11 states. Pseudorabies is a fatal infection in other farm animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats and in dogs and cats. Wild mammals such as raccoons, skunks, foxes, opossums and small rodents can be fatally infected.

Wildlife management to prevent the spread of pseudorabies has concentrated on the removal of overabundant wild pigs and reduction or eradication of localized populations. Ongoing research studies are monitoring the movements of feral hogs across the landscape to determine their home range and movement patterns.

Summary above partially from:

USDA APHIS. 1999. Wild pigs: hidden danger for farmers and hunters. USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Agriculture Information Bulletin No. 620.