Aujeszky’s disease and African swine fever in the Pomoravlje and Sumadija districts

Wild boars are important reservoirs of Aujeszky?s disease virus and African swine fever (ASF), making the animals a key factor in the spread of these diseases to domestic pig populations. One of the most common routes of virus transmission among wild boars is sexual contact, particularly during the close contact associated with mating, while migration and interactions with human activities further facilitate the spread of infections. The seroprevalence of Aujeszky?s disease varies across Europe, ranging from 0% to over 50%, depending on the region. In Serbia, the first case of ASF in domestic pigs was confirmed in 2019, and in wild boars in 2020 in border areas. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of Aujeszky?s disease virus and ASF in the wild boar population in central Serbia, specifically within the epizootiological units of Pomoravlje and Sumadija. The research was conducted using molecular and serological methods to detect the viruses and specific antibodies. Additionally, the spatial and temporal distributions of these diseases in the observed area were analyzed. For the purposes of this study, samples from wild boars of different sexes and ages were analyzed. The samples were collected during the hunting season from August to November 2023 in the territories of the Pomoravlje and Sumadija districts. A total of 90 samples were examined, with blood sera used for serological analysis and organs (spleen and kidney) from the same animals used for molecular analysis. Serological analysis of the examined samples revealed a high concentration of antibodies against Aujeszky?s disease virus in wild boars from both Pomoravlje and Sumadija. Regarding ASF virus, positive serological findings in the wild boars were recorded only in Pomoravlje, while all samples from Sumadija tested negative. Based on the total number of samples examined (n=90), the seroprevalence of Aujeszky?s disease was determined to be 26.7%, while that of ASF was 3.3%. Molecular analysis of wild boar organs did not confirm the presence of viral genetic material for either Aujeszky?s disease or ASF. Serological findings indicate ongoing circulation of these viruses in wild boars and a potential risk to domestic pigs. Continuous monitoring is, therefore, essential for early detection and effective disease prevention.