THE ROLE OF WILD BOARS IN THE SPREAD OF TRICHINOSIS IN EAST CROATIA

This work describes the occurrence of trichinosis in three districts o f East Croatia: Vukovarsko-srijemska, Osjecko-baranjska and Brodsko-po savska, Trichinosis in pigs slaughtered for household needs during 199 5 and 1996 and the number of people suffering from this zoonosis in th e period from 1994 to 1996 were studied. The tables show that the numb er of positive findings of T. spiralis in the meat, of pigs slaughtere d for household needs was 0.37% with respect to the total number of sa mples tested in East Croatia (N = 81,176 samples). There were 20 (5.8% ) positive findings out: of 342 samples of the meat of wild boars test ed in 1995; in 1996, there were 21 (5,7%) positive findings out of 368 tested samples. The number of people suffering from trichinosis in,Ea st Croatia was also significant: 68% with respect to the total number of cases recorded throughout Croatia. The increased number of infected pigs and people who contracted trichinosis may be due to the increase d spread of trichinosis in wild boars, migration of people and animals during the war in Croatia and uncontrolled slaughter and marketing of meat. Prophylaxis should include stringent veterinary and sanitary me asures of supervision and control. This includes the inspection of mea t of all slaughtered pigs and wild animals by trichinoscopic methods a nd safe removal of trichinae-infected meat. Additionally, systematic r odent control measures should be undertaken in that area to reduce the number of rodents, and the population should be informed through medi a. All hunters and distributors should regularly submit the meat of ki lled wild boars, bears and badgers for inspection.