Report
Assessing the potential role of feral pigs in an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Australia
Richard Bradhurst, Emily Sellens, Shumoos Al-Riyami, Rebekah Burns, Andrew Breed
Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis, The University of Melbourne | Published : 2025
Abstract
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious and economically important viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals. Australia’s freedom from FMD supports a valuable trade in live animals and animal products. An outbreak of FMD would result in the loss of key export markets and cause severe disruption to domestic markets leading to economic losses exceeding A$80 billion and considerable welfare concerns (Buetre, 2013; Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, 2022). The prevention of and contingency planning for FMD are important to government, industry, producers and the community.