Hunter contracts rabies from a deer

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ^ | February 05, 2012 | John Hayes

[SJackson]

A Lancaster County hunter has been treated for rabies after field dressing a deer Jan. 20 in Valley Township, Chester County. The deer later tested positive for rabies.

"The hunter contacted us about his concerns that the deer was unfit for human consumption," said John Veylupek, a wildlife conservation officer for the Pennsylvania Game Commission. "[He] said that he saw the deer standing in a creek, straining and growling. He thought there was a coyote nearby from the sounds the deer was making."

Having cleaned the deer without wearing gloves and with open scratches on his hand, the hunter was advised to seek post-exposure rabies shots.

[Krankor]

Cattle have been know for years to contract rabies. This happened in Georgia this past week. 900 lb. cow with rabies attacked a farmer.

That's why it's serious if a moose bites your sister.

[Bellflower]

Not possums. Their body temperature is too low.

If rabies doesn't like low body temp I wonder if reducing someones body temp way, way down could help kill rabies in a person infected.

[Bellflower]

Why don’t people get rabies vaccines like pets? Are there bad side effects?

[SJackson]

Don’t think so, probably a cost issue. There are very few human cases. Human vaccine is available, usually for workers in constant contact with animals and for travel to some regions. Travel doctors have it.

[SJackson]

Also, even if vacinated you still need shots, just fewer.

[SJackson]

They may have required him to tag it. DNR guys can be bigger pains than cops with attitudes......

I'm sure they would. The other option would be to inform the DNR of the sick deer and let them find it and kill it.