Domestic pigs play the main role in the epidemiology of Aujeszky’s disease (AD), because they are only species which can survive the AD virus (Herpesvirus suis) infection. Thus the European wild boar (Sus scrofa L.), apart from feral pigs living in the United States of America, both belonging to the Suidae family, should also be taken into consideration as potential AD virus reservoirs and sources of infection. The aim of our study was to evaluate the Herpesvirus suis occurence and infection level of the wild boar population in Olsztyn province and to estimate its potential significance as a reservoir and source of infection for domestic pigs and other animal species. The study material was blood taken from heart or pleural cavity immediately after the animals’ hunting. Altogether in two hunting seasons 1994/95 and 1995/96 34 blood samples were examined, which represents about 10% to the total wild boar number obtained yearly in hunting area Ł. Serological studies were performed by gE-ELISA test using CHEKIT-PRV-gl-ELlSA (Dr Bommeli AG, Switzerland). The results of serological studies indicated that 11.8% of all tested wild boars were seropositive, which means that Herpesvirus suis 1 infection accurs in the wild boar population in Olsztyn province and therefore these animals can be a reservoir and source of infection for domestic pigs in herds free of AD and for other domestic and free-living susceptible animals. These results are discussed in the light of unfavourable AD epidemic situation in Olsztyn province.
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