Florida Feral
Swine Trappers 
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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission (FWC) is encouraging hunters to take precautions when
dressing and handling harvested wild hogs.
Wild hogs, though not originally native to Florida,
are now found within all 67 counties, and like any wild animal, can
carry parasites and diseases - some of which can be transmitted to
people. One such disease for hunters to be concerned with is swine
brucellosis.
The FWC is advising hunters handling wild hog
carcasses to take the following precautions to protect themselves
from exposure to this bacterial disease:
- Avoid eating, drinking or using tobacco when field-dressing or
handling carcasses.
- Use latex or rubber gloves when handling the carcass or raw
meat.
- Avoid direct contact with blood, reproductive organs and fecal
matter. Wearing long sleeves, eye protection and covering any
scratches, open wounds or lesions will help provide
protection.
- Clean and disinfect knives, cleaning area, clothing and any
other exposed surfaces when finished.
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
When cooking wild hog, as with any wild game, care
in handling is an important part of disease prevention, and the
meat should be cooked thoroughly to 170 degrees. Swine brucellosis
is not transmitted through properly cooked meat.
Brucellosis in people is called undulant fever and could be
transmitted if a hunter cuts him/herself while field-dressing a
wild hog or was exposed to the animal's blood or bodily fluids.
Symptoms include a recurrent fever, chills, night sweats, weakness,
headaches, back pain, swollen joints, loss of appetite and weight
loss.
Hunters who exhibit these symptoms or may have been exposed should
contact a physician.
Florida Department of Health's Hog Hunting in Florida Safety
Advice
Last update: 11/05/2009
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