Australian hunters and the surveillance of fetal pigs for exotic diseases

A structured surveillance system for early detection of exotic disease in A ustralian feral wildlife has been identified. We conducted a 4-phase feasib ility study to assess the potential contribution of recreational hunters of feral pigs (Sus scrofa) to monitor exotic disease in Australia. The study included: a media promotion and advertising campaign, a questionnaire surve y of interested feral pig hunters, a collection of feral pig sera by hunter s, and an analysis of sera. A voluntary serological surveillance program us ing recreational hunters is unlikely to be successful in Australia. As an a lternative, we suggest that the present opportunistic system of exotic dise ase detection be enhanced using state and federal resources to provide educ ation programs for those groups who have regular contact with susceptible w ildlife species. In the event of an exotic disease epizootic, the reporting rate by hunters is likely to increase if they recognize overt signs of cli nical disease in susceptible species.