Sanitary Emergencies at the Wild/Domestic Caprines Interface in Europe.

Population density and distribution of the four native European wild Caprines ( Rupicapra rupicapra , Rupicapra pyrenaica , Capra ibex , Capra pyrenaica ) have increased in recent decades. The improved conservation status of this valuable wildlife, while a welcome event in general terms, is at the same time a matter of concern since, intuitively, frequent and tighter contacts with sympatric livestock imply a greater risk of cross-transmission of emerging and re-emerging pathogens, and offer unexpected opportunities for pathogens to spread, persist and evolve. This article recalls the transmissible diseases that are perceived in Europe to be of major significance from a conservation perspective, namely brucellosis (BRC) by Brucella melitensis , infectious kerato-conjunctivitis (IKC) by Mycoplasma conjunctivae , pestivirosis (PV) by the border disease virus strain 4 and mange by Sarcoptes scabiei . Special emphasis has been put on the epidemiological role played by small domestic ruminants, and on key knowledge needed to implement evidence-based prevention and control strategies. Remarkably, scientific evidence demonstrates that major demographic downturns in affected wild Caprinae populations in recent decades have often been triggered by pathogens cross-transmitted at the livestock/wildlife interface.