Rackaddict
Life Member
While I was swatting Mosquitos on opening day I got to wondering if anyone had given any thought to the fact that deer and turkey could carry WNV. Horses, dogs, birds and other animals have been found dead or have tested positive for the virus. There is no question that deer, turkey and other wildlife are also at risk of contracting the virus. This being true, what are the risks to humans through contact with an infected animal? I called our local Wildlife Biologist here in Springfield, MO. today and asked him about it. He said that as of yet there had been no reports of any infections to deer or turkey but they are just as likely to contract it as any other bird or mammal, but if you harvest an animal that appears to be sick to contact an agent so it could be tested for CWD or WNV. He also said that the percentages of birds and animals infected by WNV is so small that he felt there was really no risk. He said it was being blown out of proportion by the media. I agree with that, but it still didn't answer my question as to the chance of human infection by handling or consuming meat from an infected animal. Personally, I'm not worried for my own sake as much as I am about children, who are most at risk, of possibly being exposed to WNV by eating the meat. I thought some of you may have some information about this.