Conclusion
We investigated the interface between wild and domestic pigs and the
potential presence of a sylvatic cycle in an African protected area.
Both warthogs and bushpigs are common in NGR and they often move out of
the park, sharing home ranges and resources with domestic pigs,
particularly in the dry season. Therefore fencing should not be the
method of choice to prevent transmission from potentially infected wild
suids to neighbouring pig farming areas since they are prolific diggers.
Despite many opportunities for wild-domestic interactions, it seems
unlikely that the wild suids currently transmit ASF to domestic pigs as
no ticks where found in warthog burrows and surrounding pig farmers were
not familiar with ASF outbreaks in their area. Further research should
explore a larger number of warthogs burrows to confirm absence of ticks
and potential antibodies against ASF and other diseases should be
monitored in pigs and wild suids which are potentially exposed to ASF.
An awareness program among smallholder farmers is also encouraged
particularly targeting the western and southern sections that could
potentially have a high burden of contact between wild and domestic
pigs. Confining pigs during periods of high potential interactions (at
night and/or in dry season) is also recommended since full-time penning
is expensive and impractical. Considering the proximity of the
Mozambican border, regular surveillance of wild and domestic suids is
equally important for monitoring potential incursions of ASF in this
high risk area.