Wildlife Diseases

The following are common wildlife diseases.

Trichinosis

Trichinosis occurs in bears (black, grizzly, and polar bears), wolves, foxes (arctic and red), wolverine, lynx, walruses, seals, and ground squirrels. Trichinosis is hard to detect when butchering and because animals may appear healthy. You can get trichinosis by eating meat from infected animals that has not been adequately cooked. Meat should be well cooked (at least 160°F) and freezing the meat does not ruin it.

Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an always-fatal nervous system disease found in deer, elk, moose, and caribou (reindeer). If you hunt in a CWD management zone, always have your harvested deer tested for CWD and only consume the venison after test results indicate the disease was not detected. For the latest information about CWD, visit CWD Alliance, National Deer Association, or Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) is a viral infection that affects white-tailed deer. EHD is spread by biting gnats; it cannot be transmitted from one deer to another. The disease is not known to affect humans. However, it is still recommended to not consume any deer that appears unhealthy at the time of harvest. For more information about EHD, visit National Deer Association.