A recent study under the ‘One Health’ approach has issued a stark warning: over 80% of wild boars venturing into urban areas of Malaga carry diseases with the potential to transmit to humans. These animals, weighing up to 100kg, are showing increasing boldness by entering towns and accessing urban food sources, bringing with them a cocktail of pathogens.
The most common pathogens identified by scientists include Salmonella, parasites, and the Hepatitis E virus. Zoonoses, diseases that jump from animals to humans, are responsible for millions of deaths and infections annually and have been the origin of pandemics such as COVID-19 and Ebola.
The investigation analyzed a total of 80 animals across the Costa del Sol. 40% were from Marbella, 22.5% from Fuengirola, 7.5% from Benahavis, and the remainder from the capital city of Malaga. Of these, an alarming 86.3% carried contagious diseases. The study found that 92.5% of the boars had at least one infection, and all animals originating from Benahavis and Fuengirola had two or more.
Experts attribute this presence to a lack of natural predators, high reproductive rates, and, significantly, easy access to urban rubbish bins. This combination poses a risk to pets, livestock, and residents alike.
In light of this situation, health authorities are urging local councils to ‘boar-proof’ rubbish access points, while residents are advised to maintain distance from the animals and ensure outdoor areas are kept as clean as possible.
Beyond health concerns, wild boars are also blamed for a growing number of road accidents, as well as damage to crops and local ecosystems. Doctors recommend seeking relevant vaccinations and antibiotics as soon as possible in the event of a boar bite.
