Urban Wild Boars – from Biodiversity to a Potential Public Health Concern

Abstract

The growth of the human population, the expansion of settlements and the entry of people into the habitats of wild animals result in an increasingly frequent occurrence of wild animals in cities. Within urban areas, some wild species can find adequate conditions for survival, which are sometimes even more suitable than those in natural habitats. This has a positive impact on biodiversity, though such species can also have a negative impact on species already present in cities. Consequently, the impact of each species on the population of humans, domestic and wild animals should be observed separately. One species of particular importance is the wild boar (Sus scrofa), which adapts exceptionally well to the urban habitat. Green corridors, green areas in the city, abandoned orchards and vineyards, and inadequate waste disposal represent the basic prerequisites for their entry and survival in urban environments. Additionally, many studies have described the fundamental adaptations of wild boars to new, anthropogenic habitats. However, wild boars can cause problems in traffic, relationship with pets and people, and serve as a potential source of pathogens, though  the available data suggest a lower prevalence of certain zoonotic pathogens (such as the hepatitis E virus, Campylobacter spp., Arcobacter spp., Streptococcus suis, Toxoplasma gondii, Trichinella spp., etc.) than from animals from rural areas. Nevertheless, the greater possibility of contact with wild boar excretions (primarily faeces) in cities emphasises the need to monitor the health status of wild boars and to conduct risk analysis for infection/invasion. Both activities are fundamental for the transfer of information and raising awareness as to the risks and protection of human health in urban areas.