Report 2020
SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF AGROSYSTEMS AND NATURAL ECOSYSTEMS HEALTH SURVEILLANCE OF WILD SPECIES IN THE BASQUE COUNTRY It is fundamental to determine the prevalence and distribution of infections and/or illnesses in the natural environment that affect wild species and may be concerning for domestic livestock and humans. For this reason, NEIKER keeps surveillance over different viruses, bacteria, and parasites in different wild species. The most transcendent agents are viruses that cause bird flu and the mycobacteria involved in animal tuberculosis, which are mainly found in wild boar and deer. Additionally, also of note is our monitoring of brucellosis in wild boar, or mange and hydatid disease in carnivores (fox, wolf, badger, and others) and hoofed animals (wild board, deer, and roebuck). Moreover, we keep watch over the possible entry into the Basque Country of emerging illnesses, such as African swine fever virus or West Nile.