Animal blood. The very mention to some conjures up thoughts of disgust.
But, sometimes, its all you can get, and though not great, its better
then nothing at all. Like all blood, though, there are risks involved,
and that what I want to address here. The most common types of animal
blood are cow, sheep, chicken, pig, goose, and deer. This is because these
are the most common types of animals taken to slaughter. As you will see,
most of the disease result from poor slaughter technique allowing for
contamination of the meat. However, as we tend to eat undercook or raw
meat, and of course raw blood, these disease become more of an issue for
us. The "Affected Species" includes those we are most likely
to come into contact with, but is not a complete list of carriers of the
diseases.
Aside from the zoonotic diseases (any disease which can be passed from
a non-human animal to a human) associated with each, however, there are
also legal issues. Not all states or countries allow the sale of blood
for human consumption, so you will have to check in your area if you can
or not.
Anthrax:
Caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Uncommon transmissal, however
is possible to contract by drinking infected blood that has been exposed
to air. Ingestion would cause gastrointestinal signs: edema of the mouth
and throat, gastric ulcers, bloody diarrhea, hemorrhage of the lymph
nodes, shock, and death. Fatality rate high.
Affected Species: Cattle, Sheep,
Goats, Swine
Ascariasis:
Caused by a nematode (Roundworm) intestinal parasite. Usually involves
fecal contamination of raw meat or blood. In humans there may be no
symptoms, or you may note the worms in your stool, vomit up the worms,
have a low fever, cough with bloody sputum, wheezing, short breath,
skin rash or stomach pain depending on teh life stage and number of
worms.
Affected Species: Swine, Dogs, Cats
Brucellosis:
Caused by multiple types of Brucella bacteria species. Currently regularly
tested and vaccinated for in the United States. More widespread in Latin
America and the Middle East. Signs include a fluctuating fever, headache,
chills, weakness, muscle and joint pain, weight loss, testicular infection
in men and abortion in pregnant women. May cause chronic liver disease,
heart disease, colitis or meningitis. Fatility rate is fairly low except
when the heart muscle is infected.
Affected Species: Cattle, Sheep,
Goats, Swine, Dogs
Campylobacteriosis:
Caused by the bacterium Campylobacter jejuni. Infection occurs when
fecal-contaminated blood or raw meat is ingested. Bacteria usually resides
in the gastrointestinal tract. Most common cause of bacterial dirrhea
in humans. Generally self limiting. 0.1% of Campylobacter infections
cause Guillain-Barre syndrome, an auto-immune disease affecting the
nerves and central nervous system.
Affected Species: Cattle, Sheep,
Goats, Birds
Cryptosporidium:
Caused by the protozoa Cryptosporidium parvum. Infection occurs when
fecal-contaminated blood or raw meat is ingested. Bacteria usually resides
in the gastrointestinal tract. it is highly infectious, highly resistant,
and there is no 100% successful treatment. Causes a self-limiting diarrhea
in most humans, but can be life-threatening or fatal in immunocompromised
individuals.
Affected Species: Cattle, Sheep,
Goats, Swine
Cystercircosis:
Caused by Taenia saginata, a tapeworm-type intestinal parasite. Imature
forms are incysted into the muscle of cattle. Can infect humans if the
meat is undercooked when eaten. Typically causes only mild abdominal
signs, however can cause appendicitis from the migrating larvae. Affected
Species: Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Swine
Erysipeloid:
Caused by the bacterium Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. Fecal contamination
of raw blood or meat can occur at slaughter. Causes arthritis of the
fingers, septicemia and/or endocarditis in its systemic form. If infection
occurs via the skin, it causes a very itchy rash.
Affected Species: Swine, Birds
Escherichia coli (E.Coli) :
Specifically the O157:H7 serotype which causes a watery diarrhea, hemorrhagic
colitis and hemolytic-uremia syndrome in humans. The Hemolytic-uremic
syndrome is characterized by hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and
renal failure.
Affected Species: Cattle, Sheep,
Goats, Deer, Birds
Giardiasis:
Caused by the flagellate protozoa Giardia intestinalis/duodenalis. Cattle
can serve as a resivour for the protozoa, but transmission from them
is less common than by contaminated water or household pets. Causes
diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss.
Affected Species: Cattle, Sheep,
Goats, Cats, Dogs
Influenza:
Viral disease. With the recent "Bird Flu" news stories, we
should all be aware of this potential for cross-species infection.
Affected Species: Swine, Birds
Leptospirosis:
Caused by the bacterial spirochete Leptospira interrogans. Most commonly
aquired from rats, but cattle can carry the bacteria as well. Transmission
by ingestion of urine-contaminated meat or blood. Causes fever and flu-like
symptoms in humans, progressing to headaches, muscle pain, abdominal
pain, nausea, diarrhea, conjunctivitis and conjunctival hemorrhage.
Some serovars affect the liver and kidney, leading to failure of these
organs, lung hemorrhage is also possible. Untreated, the mortality rate
is ~20%.
Affected Species: Cattle, Sheep,
Goats, Swine, Dogs
Mycobacterium bovis:
Caused by Mycobacterium bovis bacterium. Routinely tested for in the
US, eliminated from most states. A person with active tuburculosis may
have a cought for greater than 3 weeks, chest pain, cough up blood,
weakness, weightloss, inappetance, chills, fever, and night sweats.
Chest radiographs will show lung lesions. Treatment is available.
Affected Species: Cattle, Deer
Prion Disease:
See Prions, Kuru, Cannibals and
Sanguinarians For the most information.
Affected Species: Cattle, Deer,
Sheep, Elk, Cats, Ferrets
Q-fever:
Caused by the ricketsia Coxiella burnetii. Less common in cattle then
sheep. Contracted through contamination with fecal or urine matter on
raw meats or blood. Extremely infectious. Causes acute fever with weakness,
muscle pain, headache, chills and sweats. It can also lead to infection
of the lungs, heart, pericardium, liver, nerve lining, or bones. If
treated, mortality is less than 1%.
Affected Species: Cattle, Sheep,
Goats
Rabies:
Viral disease affecting the brain. Virus can be found in
saliva, blood, and milk. Only one case of a human living after infection.
Transmission typically through contamination of a cut or scratch.
Affected Species: Cattle, Sheep,
Goats, Swine, Dogs, Cats, Ferrets
Salmonellosis:
Multiple salmonella species, however Salmonella typhimurium is the most
common contaminant of meat or blood from cattle. Contamination occurs
from fecal matter. Causes fever, headache, diarrhea, abdominal pain,
and nausea. May cause dehydration and speticemia if not treated.
Affected Species: Cattle, Sheep,
Goats, Swine, Birds, Reptiles
Tuleremia:
Caused by the bacteria Francisella tularensis. Can be aquired from eating
undercooked game meats. Four forms of the disease are seen with ingestion
of the organism: Oculoglandular (swollen lymphnodes, photophobia, tearing
of the eyes, corneal ulcers), Exudative pharyngeal (swollen lymphnodes
and a severe sore throat), Systemic (loose/watery diarrhea, vomiting,
and abdominal pain, though can vary), and Pneumonic (fever, cough, chest
pain, and bloody phlegm).
Affected Species: Sheep, Rabbits,
Cats
Trichinellosis or Trichinosis:
Caused by the parasite Trichinella spiralis. Encysts in the muscle of
many different animals. Infestation caused by eating contaminated meat
that is undercooked. Larval migration can cause muscle pain, vomiting,
diarrhea, and conjunctivitis.
Affected Species: Deer, Bear, Swine
Yersinia enterocolitica:
Important due to the fact Yersinia enterocolitica can continue to replicate
even in refrigerator conditions. Causes fever, watery diarrhea, and
abdominal pain in humans.
Affected Species: Cattle, Sheep,
Goats, Swine
Yersinia pseudotuberculosis:
Bacterium which can be found in soil and water as well as in animal
cariers. Causes abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever and septicemia in humans.
Affected Species: Swine, Birds
