Diseases transmitted to humans by pigs Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that can be transmitted to humans through contact with urine or water contaminated by infected pigs.

Pigs can transmit a number of diseases to humans, some of which can be serious or even fatal. Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that can be transmitted to humans through contact with urine or water contaminated by infected pigs.

Swine flu is a viral respiratory infection that can be transmitted from pigs to humans through direct or indirect contact with infected animals or their respiratory secretions. Symptoms of swine flu are generally mild and include fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches and headaches. However, in some cases, swine flu can lead to serious complications, such as pneumonia and respiratory failure. Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that can be transmitted to humans through contact with urine or water contaminated by infected pigs. Symptoms of leptospirosis include fever, headache, muscle pain, nausea and vomiting. In some cases, leptospirosis can lead to serious complications, such as kidney and liver failure.  Brucellosis is a bacterial infection that can be transmitted to humans through direct contact with infected animals or their products, such as milk, meat and eggs. Symptoms of brucellosis include fever, headache, muscle aches, chills and sweating. Brucellosis can also lead to serious complications, such as joint problems and endocarditis.

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection that can be transmitted to humans by contact with infected cat faeces or by eating contaminated meat. Symptoms of toxoplasmosis are generally mild and include fever, headache, muscle pain and swollen lymph nodes. However, in pregnant women, toxoplasmosis can lead to serious complications for the foetus, such as congenital malformations and miscarriages.

Trichinellosis is a parasitic infection that can be transmitted to humans by eating undercooked pork contaminated with worm larvae. Symptoms of trichinellosis include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting. In some cases, trichinellosis can lead to serious complications, such as myalgia (muscle pain) and myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle). Early treatment of swine zoonoses can help prevent serious complications.

In Cameroon, the swine zoonoses of greatest concern are :  Swine cysticercosis, caused by the Taenia solium parasite. It affects both humans and pigs, and can lead to cysts in the muscles and brain. Porcine echinococcosis, caused by the parasite Echinococcus granulosus. It affects humans, pigs and other animals, and can lead to cysts in the liver, lungs and other organs.

It affects both humans and pigs, and can cause fever, chills, headaches and muscle pain. Swine leptospirosis caused by the bacterium Leptospira interrogans. It affects humans and pigs, and can lead to fevers, headaches, muscle pain and kidney failure.  Foot-and-mouth disease caused by a virus. It affects cattle, sheep, pigs and other animals, and can cause fevers, blisters in the mouth and on the feet, and lameness. These zoonoses can be transmitted to humans through direct contact with infected animals or their products, or through consumption of contaminated meat or dairy products.

Preventing swine zoonoses involves improving husbandry practices, such as rearing pigs in sanitary conditions, eliminating animal waste and controlling rodent populations. Educating farmers and the public about the risks of swine zoonoses and how to prevent them. Strengthening animal disease surveillance and response systems. Implementing measures to control imports and exports of animals and animal products. It is important to consult a doctor if you have symptoms of a swine zoonosis. Pork is often looked down upon, but it actually has many health benefits.

Angélique EKAMAN (Journalism student on internship)