Helminth Parasites of Wild Boar (Sus scrofa)

Wild Boar have now re-established populations in three locations in the UK following escapes from pig farms. Evidence suggests that these large mammals have the potential to act as a reservoir for helminth parasites (roundworms, flukes and tapeworms) that could transfer to domestic animals and, potentially, humans.

In this project, preliminary data was obtained during a third year Biological Sciences undergraduate project from Boar faecal samples collected at a location in the South East of England to establish helminth fauna and the risk for zoonotic transfer assessed.

Samples were assessed macroscopically for adult helminths and microscopically (following salt flotation separation) for helminth eggs.

Risk of zoonotic transfer was seen to relate to composition of parasite diversity in samples and contact opportunities between wild boar and domestic animals/humans in the sampling area and the boar’s habitat.