Hunter Local Land Services (LLS) has issued a warning after the Brucella suis was detected in the Hunter region for the first time.

Hunter LLS said a feral pig recently trapped in the Upper Hunter at Cassilis had tested positive for Brucella suis and said property owners and pig hunters involved in feral pig control in the Hunter region should be aware.

"While the feral pig population in Queensland and north-western parts of NSW has been infected with B.suis for some time, the Cassilis case is the first time that the infection has been confirmed in a pig in the Hunter region," Hunter LLS said.

"Brucella suis is a bacterial infection of pigs which primarily causes reproductive disease in pigs, but which can also cause disease in dogs and people."

"Dogs and people become infected through contact with blood and tissue from infected pigs when pig hunting. Dogs can also be infected if they are fed raw feral pig meat."

Hunter LLS said Brucellosis can be a serious and even fatal disease in people and said pig hunters nad property owners should take the potential risk to human health seriously.

According to NSW Health, feral pig hunters and others who are in contact with feral pigs should follow the precautions outlined in the Brucellosis and Feral Pig Hunting fact sheet to protect themselves protect themselves, their family and dogs against brucellosis and other common diseases transmitted from animals.

More information on Brucellosis is available at the website of NSW Health.

Journalist covering the Upper Hunter region of New South Wales for the Muswellbrook Chronicle, Singleton Argus, Scone Advocate, Hunter Valley News and occasionally the Newcastle Herald.

Journalist covering the Upper Hunter region of New South Wales for the Muswellbrook Chronicle, Singleton Argus, Scone Advocate, Hunter Valley News and occasionally the Newcastle Herald.

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