September 6, 2010

New Mexico finds contagious disease in pigs

A wild hog in southern New Mexico has tested positive for a disease that can infect cattle and wildlife.

The USDA said a feral hog from Eddy County tested positive for pseudorabies, a viral disease.

According to the USDA, infected cattle and sheep can first show signs of pseudorabies by scratching and biting themselves.

According to reports, a wildlife disease biologist with USDA Wildlife Services, Justin Stevenson, said about 22 feral hogs from the Eddy County area were tested over three months, and one test came back positive.

Authorities say cattle that share areas with wild pigs are at risk.