Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence: Feral pigs as vectors of soil-borne pathogens
Title information
Author/s
C. Krull, N. Waipara, D. Choquenot, B. Burns, A. Gormley, M. Stanley
Research provider
University of Auckland
Status
Completed
Year
2012
Objectives
This study examined the potential for feral pigs to act as vectors of PA. Soil on trotters and snouts were tested.
Outcomes
19 species of pathogens were detected in the soil on trotters and snouts (457 pigs) however no PA was isolated from the samples. Bayesian Probability modelling suggests that there is a 35-90% probability that pigs do vector PA and estimated a sample size of 1000 which is required to prove a negative result. The report concludes that pigs cannot be ruled out as a vector.