A risky disease for Hunters - what you
need to know about Brucellosis and how to prevent it!
What is Brucellosis?
Brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by contact with
animals carrying the Brucella bacteria. Various Brucella species affect
sheep, goats, cattle, deer, elk, pigs, dogs, and several other animals.
Humans become infected by coming in contact with animals or animal
products that are contaminated with these bacteria.
Who gets brucellosis?
Everyone is susceptible to the bacteria and may get the
disease if exposed. It is more likely to be found in people associated
with the cleaning and butchering of deer and livestock or the
consumption of unpasteurized dairy products. Hunters may be infected
through skin wounds or by accidentally ingesting the bacteria after
cleaning deer, elk, moose, or wild pigs that they have killed.
Can brucellosis be spread from person to person?
Direct person-to-person spread of brucellosis is rare.
Mothers who are breast-feeding may transmit the infection to their
infants. Sexual transmission has also been reported.
What are the symptoms of brucellosis?
Symptoms of brucellosis include flu-like symptoms such as
intermittent fever, chills, excessive sweating, weakness, weight loss,
fatigue, headache, abdominal pain, back pain, loss of appetite or joint
pain. The illness may be chronic and persist for years.
How soon do symptoms appear?
The time period may vary, but symptoms usually appear within
five to 30 days.
Is there a treatment for brucellosis?
Yes, doctors can prescribe effective antibiotics such as
doxycycline and rifampin in combination or tetracycline and
streptomycin. Recovery may take a few weeks to several months.
Is there a way to prevent infection?
Yes!
- Do not consume unpasteurized milk, cheese, or ice
cream while traveling out of the country. If you’re not sure that
the dairy product is pasteurized, don’t eat it.
- In the United States, do not drink raw milk.
There’s no evidence that raw milk has any health benefits and it can
be harmful.
- Hunters should use rubber gloves when coming into
contact with blood or viscera of animals. There is no vaccine
available for humans.
More information for hunters:
In the United States, most cases of brucellosis are reported from
California, Florida, Texas, and Virginia. In areas where hunting is
popular, it is important that hunters use protective gloves and clothing
when handling feral swine or other game such as elk, practice hand
washing hygiene and thoroughly cook all meat before eating. Burying
animal remains is also a good practice to prevent the spread of
brucellosis.
In Florida, hunting feral hogs is popular and some of these hogs do
carry brucellosis and have the ability to transmit it to domestic hogs
and people coming into contact with the infected tissues. It is
important that hunters are aware of this and other potential diseases
carried by feral hogs and use proper precautions when handling
potentially infected tissues.
From the Palm Beach County Health Dept.
Epidemiology & Disease Control.
 print
this page |
