EPIZOOTIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF TRICHINELLOSIS OF DOMESTIC PIGS IN THE REPUBLIC OF SRPSKA

Abstract

Trichinellosis is parasitic disease aff ecting wildlife, domestic animals and humans, caused by the nematode of the genus Trichinella. Primary infection route is consumption of infected meat, thus trichinellosis represents a considerable health and economic problem. In the Republic of Srpska, the most common source of human infection is the meat of domestic pigs. Since recently, an increasing number of trichinellosis outbreaks have been attributed to consumption of meat of wild animals, which corresponds with the situation in other countries. During the last decade of the 20th century, numerous outbreaks involving large number of infected people have been reported. In the period 2001-2010, 1256 cases of animal trichinellosis were reported, 1166 of which were identifi ed in domestic swine. In the municipality of Bijeljina, 656 cases were reported, which makes 56.26% of the total number of domestic pig infections recorded in the Republic of Srpska. The latest fi ndings about the incidence of various Trichinella species in wild and domestic animals in Europe indicate that, regardless of application of preventive measures such as proper animal management and veterinary control of meat aft er slaughter, this disease remains the major health problem in this area.