Transboundary Emerging and Exotic Animal Disease/ Exotic Animal Disease Practice Exam

Which of the following species is not commonly associated with transmitting heartwater?

1. Cows

2. Goats

3. Pigs

4. Sheep

The correct answer is: Pigs

Heartwater is a disease caused by the bacterium Ehrlichia ruminantium, primarily affecting ruminants, which include species such as cattle, goats, and sheep. These animals are commonly associated with the transmission of the disease through the bite of infected ticks, particularly from the genus Amblyomma. Pigs, on the other hand, are not natural hosts for the heartwater bacterium. While they can be infected with various diseases and might be introduced into areas where heartwater is endemic, they do not play a significant role in the transmission cycle of this particular disease. This is due to the fact that the primary vectors for heartwater are specific tick species that are less likely to infest pigs compared to ruminants. Understanding this distinction helps clarify the epidemiology of heartwater and highlights the importance of managing ruminant populations and tick control to prevent the spread of this disease.