CA DFG Advises Hunters To Keep It Clean When Handling Wildlife

[spectr17]

DFG Advises Hunters To Keep It Clean When Handling Wildlife

5/6/09

Harvesting more than 5,000 wild pigs annually, California hunters are reminded to "keep it clean" in the field by using common sense field dressing precautions. The recent outbreak of the H1N1 (swine flu) virus has raised public concern about interaction with wild pigs but the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) advises that there are no known cases of humans contracting the virus from the wild animals.

"While we have seen no instances of wild pigs passing along swine flu to humans, all types of wildlife carry a host of other viruses and bacteria that can be transmitted," said Dr. Ben Gonzales, a DFG wildlife veterinarian. "By being vigilant about practicing good hygiene in the field and at home, hunters can greatly reduce the chances of contracting disease."

DFG recommends hunters take the following precautions when field dressing and preparing wild pigs:

• Wear gloves when dressing out hogs and dispose of gloves properly
• Avoid eating/drinking/smoking while doing so
• Wear eye protection if there is risk of eye splashed with blood/other fluids
• Wear coveralls over clothes or promptly change into fresh clothes after dressing animals
• Wash hands and equipment thoroughly with hot, soapy water
• Practice good handling/storage procedures with the meat
• Properly cook the meat to 160O Farenheit to kill bacteria and viruses

Wild pigs inhabit areas from Monterey to Humboldt counties, but hikers and other outdoors enthusiasts may only catch a glimpse of one as it bolts through brush. Though there is no known evidence of wild pigs having transmitted swine flu to humans, wild pigs are susceptible to the virus like their domestic counterparts. Sick pigs exhibit symptoms such as coughing (barking), discharge from the nose, sneezing and breathing difficulties.

Anyone seeing an ill wild pig should report it to DFG's Wildlife Investigations Lab at (916) 358-2790.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture reports that people cannot get swine flu from eating pork or pork products. Meat should be properly cooked to 160 O Fahrenheit to kill any bacteria or viruses that may exist. Preliminary investigations have determined that none of those infected with the swine flu had contact with pigs, but the state is monitoring the domestic pig population. To find out more about domestic pigs, please visit www.cdfa.ca.gov.

Contact:
Alexia Retallack, Education and Outreach, (916) 322-8944
Ben Gonzales, Wildlife Investigations Laboratory, (916) 358-1464

 

[myfriendis410]

Nothing there that we don't already do ourselves.

 

[559hog]

That's SOP for me .

 

[scott0san]

All just SOP except for that last one

• Properly cook the meat to 160O Farenheit to kill bacteria and viruses


I think I need a new BBQ :confused-yellow:

 

[hatchet1]

5000...is that all!! sounds a bit lite to me ull-shades:

 

[easymoney]

All good points most of us all, already practice.

"The California Department of Food and Agriculture reports that people cannot get swine flu from eating pork or pork products."
Excellent point and one overlooked by the crisis mode media...

And that 5000 figure seems a little low, but that is not my job...

 

[MJB]

What about freezing the meat before eating?

Cooking to 160 degrees usally means shoe leather IMO.......I do the freezing to -4 for at least a week then cook medium-medium rare.

 

[559hog]

It says more than 5000 pigs annually lol.

 

[m57jager]

• Wash hands and equipment thoroughly with hot, soapy water
• Practice good handling/storage procedures with the meat

Those are the only ones I do regularly. No problems thus far. Plus, the swine flu is just the flu. Tylenol and time should do the trick. The shot they have for it isn't a cure, it just eases symptoms. We used to be able to strengthen our immune systems by fighting off colds the old fashion way. Now there are so many antibiotics, powerful symptom relievers, and unnecesary vaccines that no one has an immune system. Coupled that with antibiotic resistant superbugs and were heading down a dangerous path. Not a wild animal problem, plain and simple. Now CWD on the otherhand!! Better start wearing gloves and stop drinking whiskey, well, wearing gloves anyway.

 

[rza96746]

freezing will kill the bactieria but when you defrost it will start again. Cooking it to 160 will kill all, bacteria thrives and reproduces at warm temps . A good rule of thumb is to keep all hot foods hot and cold foods cold.I cant remember what the threshold is.