Brucellosis in hogs

[Bill]

I was responding to another post on wearing gloves when cleaning animals, and I did a quick Google search on brucellosis, in part to make sure I was spelling it correctly and in part to see if it was reported in deer as well as hogs.

I read the CDC web page, and assuming a part of the government isn't lying to me (it's tough to do these days, unfortunately), they say hogs, plus bison, elk, caribou, moose can be carriers. But I'd never seen (or heard) of it being passed by inhaling the bacteria!

I don't know what you'd have to do to have the bacteria in the air in the field while field dressing and cutting up a hog.

Just when I figured I was safe wearing disposable gloves

People who hunt animals may also be at risk. When they are in contact with infected animals, exposure to the bacteria may occur through:

skin wounds
accidentally ingesting undercooked meat
inhaling the bacteria while dressing their game. Commonly infected animals include: bison, elk, caribou, moose and wild hogs (feral swine).

http://www.cdc.gov/brucellosis/transmission/index.html

[elkbowhunter]

dang!! interesting. Wonder what temp should you get the meat to in order to kill brucellosis.

[SwampRabbit]

this is why they recommend having those what I call "SARS" masks. I've thought about picking up some just for feild dressing portion.

Also, this is the same statements for anthrax, etc, and if I recall correctly, it is more important in low humidity arid areas like south texas where the spores can more easily get into the air.

[twobittxn]

Cook temps from 145 to 165 are sufficient to kill Brucellosis.

The blood of an infected animal needs to be aerosolized to become a risk to a hunter.

[gonzaleziam]

Treated a patient once that got it from eating goat. Long, drawn out medication therapy.

[dustoffer]

I sent this to a hunting buddy who is a veterinarian, board certified in public health, and also a PhD in wildlife disease. I'll post up his thoughts when he gets back to me.

[Bill]

I'm glad nobody laughed at me about the post, being from the 'left' coast and all.

I am interested in what the Vet has to say about this.

[Grndchecker]

All the more reason to KAP. The risk of disease is the reason I give all the hogs away that I shoot. Boars to the buzzards.

[westtexducks]

I'm glad nobody laughed at me about the post, being from the 'left' coast and all.

I am interested in what the Vet has to say about this.

I think most of us consider you an honorary Texan so need to worry about it. One of the few that would be excepted into our state with open arms.

[Sippy]

It can become airborne, but it is very uncommon and in a very small area(within a few feet).

You dont have to worry about inhaling it from cleaning a hog.

[Bill]

That's the nicest thing somebody's said to me lately. Thanks.
I do have my Texas star on the front bumper of my pickup above my CA license plate, when you raise the flag of the Republic I think it will get me in to join in the fray.

[quackaholic1]

I knew about wearing gloves but had no idea it could be airborne.

[Ballcoach10]

I don't like the sound of that! I love me some wild hog

[Bowtechlady]

Yes I know someone that got deathly ill and the doctors say it happened when he was cleaning a wild hog. I always wear gloves for this very reason. I have never heard of the inhalation though.

[dustoffer]

Here's what the doggie doc says--doesn't say it can't/doesn't happen, but "VERY rare"

Inhalation as a route of infection would be VERY rare. One does not routinely create "aerosols" in field dressing or home processing game. "Blood spatter" obviously occurs, but inhalation of material seems to me to be a low probability deal. Statement seems to be a "cya" initiative.