Zoonotic Diseases of Pigs: Transmission, Signs & Prevention

1. Ascariasis (Ascaris suum)

• Transmission:
• Infection occurs by ingestion of eggs present in contaminated soil, manure, feed, water, or on fomites
• Clinical Signs in Pigs:
• Young pigs show pot-bellied appearance
• Respiratory distress (“thumps”) and chronic coughing
• Reproductive issues like delayed heat and poor conception
• Clinical Signs in Humans:
• Cough due to larval migration
• Gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain
• Intestinal blockage, especially in children
• Prevention (Swine):
• Maintain sanitation, remove manure, regular deworming, clean sows before farrowing, early weaning, follow all-in-all-out system
• Prevention (Humans):
• Hand hygiene, use gloves, wash vegetables/fruits, avoid untreated water, prevent children from contact with contaminated soil

2. Brucellosis (Brucella suis)

• Transmission:
• Direct contact with reproductive discharges, ingestion of contaminated feed/water, fomites
• Clinical Signs in Pigs:
• Abortions, stillbirths
• Orchitis and epididymitis in males
• Arthritis, lameness, abscess formation
• Clinical Signs in Humans:
• Flu-like illness (fever, chills, fatigue)
• Chronic infections affecting joints and reproductive organs
• Prevention (Swine):
• Source animals from disease-free herds, isolate/cull infected animals, proper disposal of aborted materials
• Prevention (Humans):
• Use PPE (gloves, mask), avoid contact with infected tissues, maintain hygiene

3. Campylobacteriosis (Campylobacter spp.)

• Transmission:
• Fecal contamination, direct contact, contaminated food/water
• Clinical Signs in Pigs:
• Often asymptomatic
• May show diarrhea
• Clinical Signs in Humans:
• Diarrhea (mild to severe), fever, muscle pain
• Prevention:
• Sanitation, avoid overcrowding, isolate infected animals, safe food handling and cooking

4. Colibacillosis (E. coli)

• Transmission:
• Contaminated feed, water, soil, or fecal contact
• Clinical Signs in Pigs:
• Diarrhea, especially in piglets
• Clinical Signs in Humans:
• Watery or bloody diarrhea
• Abdominal cramps, vomiting
• Severe cases: kidney complications (HUS)
• Prevention:
• Hygiene, vaccination of pregnant animals, proper colostrum feeding, avoid overcrowding

5. Cryptosporidiosis (Cryptosporidium spp.)

• Transmission:
• Ingestion of contaminated food, water, or soil
• Clinical Signs in Pigs:
• Usually mild or no signs
• Piglets may show watery diarrhea and weight loss
• Clinical Signs in Humans:
• Severe watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps
• Prevention:
• Strict sanitation, isolate sick animals, avoid untreated water

6. Taeniasis / Cysticercosis (Taenia spp.)

• Transmission:
• Ingestion of contaminated food, water, or pasture
• Clinical Signs in Pigs:
• Often no signs
• Poor growth, neurological or ocular issues in severe cases
• Clinical Signs in Humans:
• Tapeworm infection or neurological problems (neurocysticercosis)
• Prevention:
• Avoid fecal contamination, proper meat cooking, deworm pets

7. Ringworm (Dermatophytosis)

• Transmission:
• Direct contact or contaminated equipment
• Clinical Signs in Pigs:
• Hair loss, scaly lesions
• Clinical Signs in Humans:
• Red, circular skin lesions
• Prevention:
• Disinfection, isolation, hygiene

8. Erysipelas

• Transmission:
• Contact with infected animals or contaminated environment
• Clinical Signs in Pigs:
• Fever, diamond-shaped skin lesions
• Lameness, sudden death
• Clinical Signs in Humans:
• Painful skin infection (localized swelling)
• Prevention:
• Vaccination, sanitation, rodent control

9. Giardiasis (Giardia spp.)

• Transmission:
• Ingestion of cysts from contaminated water/food
• Clinical Signs in Pigs:
• Diarrhea, weight loss
• Clinical Signs in Humans:
• Chronic diarrhea, malabsorption
• Prevention:
• Clean water supply, hygiene, avoid overcrowding

10. Japanese Encephalitis

• Transmission:
• Mosquito-borne (Culex species)
• Clinical Signs in Pigs:
• Reproductive failure
• Weak piglets
• Clinical Signs in Humans:
• Severe neurological disease
• Prevention:
• Vector control, vaccination in endemic areas

11. Leptospirosis

• Transmission:
• Contact with infected urine or contaminated water
• Clinical Signs in Pigs:
• Abortions, weak piglets
• Clinical Signs in Humans:
• Fever, muscle pain, kidney issues
• Prevention:
• Vaccination, rodent control, avoid contaminated water

12. Mange (Sarcoptes scabiei)

• Transmission:
• Direct contact or contaminated bedding
• Clinical Signs in Pigs:
• Itching, skin thickening
• Clinical Signs in Humans:
• Intense itching and rash
• Prevention:
• Treatment of animals, hygiene

13. Rabies

• Transmission:
• Bite or saliva from infected animals
• Clinical Signs in Pigs:
• Nervous signs, paralysis, aggression
• Clinical Signs in Humans:
• Fatal neurological disease
• Prevention:
• Vaccination, avoid contact with wild animals

14. Salmonellosis

• Transmission:
• Contaminated food, water, feces
• Clinical Signs in Pigs:
• Diarrhea, septicemia
• Clinical Signs in Humans:
• Acute gastroenteritis
• Prevention:
• Hygiene, proper cooking, avoid contamination

15. Streptococcosis (Streptococcus suis)

• Transmission:
• Contact, inhalation, contaminated feed
• Clinical Signs in Pigs:
• Meningitis, arthritis, septicemia
• Clinical Signs in Humans:
• Fever, meningitis, septic shock
• Prevention:
• Hygiene, wound care, PPE

16. Swine Influenza

• Transmission:
• Aerosols, nasal discharge
• Clinical Signs in Pigs:
• Fever, cough, breathing difficulty
• Clinical Signs in Humans:
• Flu-like illness
• Prevention:
• Biosecurity, vaccination, hygiene

17. Toxoplasmosis

• Transmission:
• Contaminated feed/water (cat feces)
• Clinical Signs in Pigs:
• Reproductive failure
• Clinical Signs in Humans:
• Mild illness, serious in pregnancy
• Prevention:
• Keep cats away, cook meat properly

18. Trichinellosis

• Transmission:
• Consumption of undercooked meat
• Clinical Signs in Pigs:
• Usually no signs
• Clinical Signs in Humans:
• Muscle pain, fever
• Prevention:
• Proper cooking, avoid feeding raw meat

19. Whipworm (Trichuris suis)

• Transmission:
• Ingestion of contaminated soil/feed
• Clinical Signs in Pigs:
• Diarrhea, anemia
• Clinical Signs in Humans:
• GI disturbances
• Prevention:
• Deworming, sanitation

20. Vesicular Stomatitis

• Transmission:
• Direct contact or insect vectors
• Clinical Signs in Pigs:
• Vesicles in mouth and feet
• Clinical Signs in Humans:
• Mild flu-like illness
• Prevention:
• Vector control, hygiene

21. Yersiniosis (Yersinia enterocolitica)

• Transmission:
• Contaminated food or water
• Clinical Signs in Pigs:
• Mild diarrhea
• Clinical Signs in Humans:
• Diarrhea, abdominal pain
• Prevention:
• Proper cooking, hygiene