Fears that wild boars could spread superbugs

found MRSA CC398 in one of them, raising fears the bug – which has spread throughout Europe – is now no longer restricted to livestock.

The study, published in the journal Science Of The Total Environment, states: “It is a concern when MRSA is inhabiting the skin and nose of wild animals and is characterised with resistance to various antimicrobial agents in clinical use.

“The convergence between habitats can lead to contact between wild animals and humans and this can increase risks of bacterial transfer and promote risks to human health.

“These animals might contact with farm animals, in contact with humans, and be responsible for the spread of antimicrobial- resistance within bacteria.”

Prof. Pennington added: “The lesson we learned from the spread of MRSA in hospitals was we weren’t watching closely enough. “We need to keep a very close eye on this to make sure it’s not getting out of control.

“We got on top of MRSA in hospitals through good handwashing and screening patients and there should be a strategy in place for MRSA in wild animals.”

Wild boar were