Trichinella prevalence in swine in an endemic district in Serbia: Epidemiology and control

Endemic trichinellosis is re-emerging in Serbia and it is a serious problem both from the perspective of human health and animal husbandry. The widespread appearance of human trichinellosis is attributed to a high prevalence of Trichinella infection in domestic animals, especially swine. Epidemiological data presented in this paper were collected during a 12-year period (1995–2006) at small private swine farms in the region of Branicevo, Serbia where a high Trichinella prevalence in slaughter pigs (0.57%) has been detected. To further monitor Trichinella prevalence in swine, a serological survey, using ELISA, was performed in 2006. Of 916 swine tested by ELISA, Trichinella specific antibodies were detected in 15 (1.64%), while suspect results were obtained in 10 (1.09%). Positive or suspect animals originated from all parishes except one (Pozarevac). Our results point to the need for systematic monitoring in pigs to achieve a better control of trichinellosis in Serbia.