Ingestion of infected roots by feral pigs

I. Bassett, I. Horner, E. Hough, F. Wolber , B. Egeter, M. Stanley, C. Krull

Plant & Food Research
Auckland Council

Completed

2017

Testing survival and transmission of Phytophthora agathidicida through pig gut passage and in pig faeces

Viable PA from a kauri root retrieved from captive-fed pig faeces, providing proof of concept that pigs can internally vector PA. However only one positive was detected in a large sample size. No PA was detected in any of the 184 wild-caught feral pig stomachs. Ingestion of contaminated material by feral pigs is probably a minor pathway for PA spread. Demonstrated that it is possible for P. agathidicida to survive the pig gut, however it probably occurs only in root fragments that pass through very rapidly. Transmission of P. agathidicida in infected soil on the outside of pigs is probably a greater risk.

• Surveillance, Detection, Diagnostics and Pathways