Pig disease a
threat to humans

State officials renew
public warnings to wear protective
clothing when slaughtering or
butchering pigs

By Susan Kreifels
Star-Bulletin

Wild pigs trapped at Camp Smith on Oahu have tested positive for brucellosis, a disease that can be transmitted to humans and is potentially life-threatening if left untreated.

The finding prompted state officials to renew warnings to hunters and livestock raisers to wear protective clothing when slaughtering pigs.

Twenty-six wild pigs have been trapped and killed at the camp in recent months by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, according to Marine spokeswoman Gunnery Sgt. Angela McDaniel.

The trappings will continue until September. Most problems have been in a remote housing area at the camp.

Charlene Richardson, Camp Smith's environmental protection specialist, said all the pigs tested positive for pseudo-rabies, which is not considered a problem in humans. But some tested positive for brucellosis, or undulant fever, which can be transmitted to humans through contact with animal fluids or tissue.

Common symptoms in humans include high fever, head and body aches, chills and weakness. The disease can cause liver and spleen infections and damage reproductive organs.

If untreated, there is a fatality rate of less than 20 percent, according to Dr. David Sasaki, state public health veterinarian.

Ten states have found wild pigs with brucellosis.

The state has reported five cases of human brucellosis in the past 26 years. Two Kona men were diagnosed with the disease in late 1996 after they slaughtered wild pigs there.

State Agriculture Department spokeswoman Ann Takiguchi said the federal government notified the state of the brucellosis cases at Camp Smith, and the department is again putting out warnings to hunters and the livestock industry. The disease can be spread to livestock and other animals.

Play it safe around pigs

Precautions for hunters and swine raisers include:

Wear disposable gloves and protective eyeglasses when gutting swine. Blood, urine, other body fluids and animal tissues carry the disease. Dispose of the gloves when finished.

Do not handle animals or dress carcasses if you have skin wounds that cannot be protected from exposure to animal tissues, fluids or secretions.

Bury all entrails from wild pigs. Do not feed them to other animals or use them for human consumption.

Thoroughly cook meat from wild pigs as well as all pork. Do not cook in a microwave oven and do not eat smoked pork from wild pigs.