Anthrax in whitetail deer?

Question

Can anyone tell me anything about anthrax in the whitetail deer population in North Central and West Texas? I read a newspaper artical about it yesterday, but it didn't really give much info.

We eat a lot of deer meat in my house and I am concerned about eating anything killed this next season because of what I've read. Any info on the subject would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Relax there is NO evidence to substantiate the spreading of Anthrax thru the consumption of venison or other fresh killed wild meat. In addition, if the meat is cooked properly, and not consumed raw, the cooking process will in additionally kill any bacteria, virus or parasites that wild game could come in contact with and in turn consuming native American wild game is perfectly safe.There was a study recently completed by Johns Hopkins University Research Hospital, in Baltimore,Maryland in the 2006 and published in the New England Journal of Medicine earlier this year. Venison was one of the test items listed and samples were obtained from every state in the United States for lab comparison in this study. Ironically the study showed that processed domestic beef,pork and lamb showed higher risk than ANY wild game meat.
I don't know about you but that works for me. Anything anyone else says to the contrary is a ugly rumor period.

Answer 2

I havent heard of any cases of anthrax in deer. The usual fear is Chronic Wasting Disease. If a deer is infected with it and the meat is eaten, then a human will get what is called Cruitzfeld-Jacob disease. It affects the human brain and is known as a spungiform-encephalitis. Most Dept. of Natural Resources will have the facts on that disease in your state. Illinois has some cases of it around the Wisconsin border in north west Illinois. No other part of the state has any reported cases.

Answer 3

Well, sorta stepping aside what JD said about eating venison not causing anthrax (he's right....there has never been a single case of documented intestinal anthrax in the history of the US)....there are usually a couple of dozen cases of cutaneous anthrax a year in the US caused by folks dressing infected deer with cuts on their hands. It's so common that that's one of the first tests docs will do if you state that you dressed wild game. Same goes for the dozen folks a year who catch bubonic plague the same way.

Wear some latex gloves when cleaning your kill and avoid the lymph nodes if at all possible. Wash your hands and your tools well afterward.

In response to an emailed question:

No, I'm not saying that catching intestinal anthrax via eating raw or undercooked meat is impossible. Just that it is rare and has never been diagnosed in a single patient in the US. It's obviously possible because intestinal anthrax is a recognized form of the disease. Folks tend to catch it in underdeveloped countries where livestock/game isn't as well cared for. *ANY* animal that grazes can catch anthrax, and if it has it, there is always a chance that it can be passed on to you, slim as that chance might be.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/anthrax_g.htm#How%20is%20anthrax%20transmitted

Answer 4

"Hunters and campers often ask about dangers posed by naturally occurring anthrax. We advise visitors to avoid dead animals, urge them not to swim in creeks or tanks where dead animals have been seen, and not to pick up shed antlers or old animal bones. By the time hunting season starts, cool weather usually puts an end to cases," said Dr. Hillman.

"When hunting, always shoot only healthy-looking animals. By the time an animal displays signs of anthrax, such as staggering, trembling or convulsions, death is inevitable." He also said hunters and campers should talk to their physician, if they develop an unexplained sore on their hands or arms after an outing.

Answer 5

Many states are testing deer for CWD, my guess is if the Texas DNR is aware of a problem they may have info in their website about it.

Check the DNR.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/htsearch?config=phase3_htdig&restrict=www.tpwd.state.tx.us&words=anthrax&x=0&y=0

Answer 6

I thought that anthrax was just a cow thing

Answer 7

it's usually PETA spreading visious liesto stop us