Pennsylvania Game Commission officials announced that a Lancaster County hunter has undergone post-exposure rabies shots after harvesting and field dressing a deer on Jan. 20, in Valley Township, Chester County.
The hunter contacted the Game Commission about his concerns that the deer was unfit for human consumption. The hunter 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.
After gathering information from the hunter, as well as samples for testing, it was determined that the deer was rabid. Because the hunter had scratches on his hands and had field dressed the deer without wearing gloves, it was determined that there was human exposure and the hunter was urged to contact his doctor about post-exposure rabies treatment.
Dr. Walter Cottrell, Game Commission wildlife veterinarian, reiterated the agency’s long-standing recommendations that hunters and trappers avoid harvesting animals that appear sick and to wear rubber or latex gloves when field dressing any mammal.
All mammals are susceptible to rabies and can spread the virus in the right circumstances. To prevent the spread of wildlife diseases, hunters and trappers are encouraged to contact the Game Commission about any animals that they encounter that may appear to be sick.
Also, when field dressing any mammal, it is critical to wear rubber or latex gloves to prevent exposure to rabies or other diseases that the animal may have come in contact with.
For more information on rabies, visit the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), put your cursor over “Wildlife” in the menu bar listing, then put your cursor over “Wildlife Diseases” in the drop-down menu listing, click on “Wildlife Disease Reference Library” in the second drop-down menu listing and then select “Rabies” in the alphabetical listing.
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