Aujeszky's disease proved in wild boar - Cats and dogs are also at risk

Pseudowut: Wild boar infected with Aujeszky's disease
In Bavaria, an infection with Aujeszky's disease (AK) has been found in a wild boar. The infectious disease, which is also known under the name Pseudowut, can also affect dogs and cats. It is harmless to humans.

Wild boar infected with Aujeszky's disease
According to media reports, a boar shot in the Steigerwald (Bavaria) was infected with the Aujeszky's disease (AK). This infectious disease is also known as pseudopod and can affect pigs, cattle, sheep, goats, but also dogs and cats. As reported by the Bavarian Broadcasting Corporation (BR) on its website, this is the first case of boars in Haßberge, according to the Landratsamt Haßberge, since there in 2012 the screening was introduced.

A boar in Bavaria has been found to be infected with Aujeszky's disease. The also known as pseudo-infectious disease can also affect cats and dogs. (Image: creativenature.nl/fotolia.com)

According to the current state of knowledge for humans harmless
According to a press release from the district office, the virus is currently not known to be safe for humans. Consuming processed and seasoned boar products therefore poses no danger.

The main host for pseudo-outbreaks is the pig. "Once infected pigs remain - as is characteristic of herpes virus infections - lifelong latently infected. The virus can then be produced and excreted at any time, "writes the Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety on its website.

Symptoms are similar to those of rabies
"With the exception of highly resistant primates and equidae, almost all mammal species are susceptible," says a report on the results of the monitoring of Bavarian wild boar in 2015.

The Landratsamt Haßberge calls in particular pig farmers to take appropriate hygiene and protective measures. When pigs are infected, they often have symptoms similar to those of rabies, such as pneumonia, brain and nerve inflammation.

Infected dogs usually die from the disease
It is reported that young animals often die from the disease, while some older people survive the infection. The virus is transmitted by droplet infection.

Hunters are advised to keep their dogs away from live or dead wild boar and, in principle, not to feed raw meat. Dogs that become infected with pseudovirus usually die from it. (Ad)