An Update in Knowledge of Pigs as the Source of Zoonotic Pathogens

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The observed trend of increasing numbers of humans living on the Earth will result in increased demand for food, especially foods of high nutritional value, such as meat. This phenomenon will result in the growth of the livestock population. One of the most commonly consumed foods worldwide is pork. Therefore, it is reasonable to suspect that the pig world population, in the near future, will increase as well. Pigs are prone to infections/invasions with numerous viral, bacterial, and parasitic aetiological factors. Such infections are referred to as zoonotic infections. In view of the growing number of pigs headage, the possible risk of human infection of zoonotic origin seems to be increased. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the most up-to-date data regarding the epidemiology of several of the most significant porcine zoonoses, with available preventive measures to control them. ABSTRACT: The available data indicate that the human world population will constantly grow in the subsequent decades. This constant increase in the number of people on the Earth will lead to growth in food demand, especially in food of high nutritional value. Therefore, it is expected that the world livestock population will also increase. Such a phenomenon enhances the risk of transmitting pathogens to humans. As pig production is one of the most significant branches of the world’s livestock production, zoonoses of porcine origins seem to be of particular importance. Therefore, in this review, we aim to introduce the latest data concerning, among other things, epidemiology and available preventive measures to control the most significant porcine zoonoses of viral, bacterial, and parasitic origin.