Man from Florida Consumes Wild Boar, Admitted to Hospital Due to Rare Bacterial Disease
In the sunshine state of Florida, health officials have detailed a case of a man contracting a rare infection from consuming feral pig meat. The man, a pastor in his 70s with a history of heart failure, was repeatedly hospitalized due to chest issues.
In 2017, the man received feral pig meat as a gift from a local hunter. Handling the meat with bare hands before cooking and eating it, the man may have been exposed to the bacterium Brucella suis. This infection was initially misidentified as a different bacteria prior to his last hospital visit.
The man's case was confirmed as pig-derived bacteria called Brucella suis. Brucellosis, as the infection is known, can cause chronic, debilitating symptoms like arthritis and heart inflammation if left untreated. The man underwent multiple antibiotic treatments but stopped due to side effects. Fortunately, he was successfully treated with the right mix of antibiotics after the bacteria was found.
Feral pigs are a growing presence in parts of the U.S., including Florida. Unlike many other bacteria, Brucella germs can make themselves cozy inside our cells. This makes the infection potentially dangerous and contagious.
Hunters and anyone else who loves feral pig meat should be made aware of the potential danger of contracting B. suis. Measures to reduce the risk include the use of personal protective equipment and thoroughly cooking animal products before consumption.
It's important to note that Brucellosis is very rare in the U.S., with only around 100 cases reported annually, most of which are from other species besides B. suis. The risk of aerosolization was low, proper precautions appeared to have been followed, and no other cases among staff were found.
The man's AICD device was removed before the infection was identified, potentially exposing his medical care team to the infection during the surgery. However, no other cases were reported among the staff.
Brucellosis was once considered a potential bioterror threat due to its ease of aerosolization and contagiousness. The case was detailed in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases this month, serving as a reminder of the importance of food safety and the potential risks associated with consuming undercooked or improperly handled animal products.
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