Cryptosporidium spp. is a widely distributed gastrointestinal pathogen in vertebrates, such as the European wild boar. Furthermore, with a fecal–oral pathway, they might spread through tainted food and water or by direct contact. Related to the presence of this parasite in wild boar populations, the handling of hunted carcasses may be a source of zoonotic transmission. This work aims to evaluate the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. in 10 Portuguese hunting areas in two different locations (Northern and Central Portugal) and to preliminarily assess the risk factors of zoonotic transmission to hunting stakeholders. Cryptosporidium spp. antigens were confirmed by an immunochromatography test in the wild boars’ fecal samples from four of the 10 hunting areas analyzed (one in the North and three in the Southeast of Central Portugal). A qualitative assessment of various potential factors contributing to the persistence of infection in this wild population, but also of zoonotic risk factors related to hygiene procedures and handling of carcasses after hunting actions, was also carried out. With these potentially risky practices, it is imperative to raise awareness and establish a surveillance network in the hunting areas in order to mitigate the potential zoonotic transmission of these pathogenic agents to hunting stakeholders.
Abrantes et al. (2026) studied this question.