Is Eating Venison Safe? Can You Get Lyme Disease from Deer Meat?

Can You Get Lyme Disease from Eating Venison?

Deer meat, known as venison, is a lean and nutritious meat that is growing in popularity. However, with the rise of tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease, some people wonder if eating venison can transmit these diseases. Here's what you need to know about the safety of eating venison and the risk of contracting Lyme disease from deer meat.

Lyme Disease Transmission

Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks, also known as deer ticks. When an infected tick bites a deer or human and feeds on blood, the bacteria can spread from the tick's stomach to its salivary glands and then into the new host.

The risk of transmission increases the longer the tick is attached. Usually, the tick must be attached for 36-48 hours to cause infection. Promptly removing ticks can help prevent disease transmission.

Lyme disease cannot be transmitted from person-to-person contact, air, food, or water. The bacteria live in the guts of ticks, not in blood or tissues. As a result, there is no scientific evidence that Lyme disease can be contracted from eating venison.

Why Venison is Safe

There are several reasons why eating venison does not pose a risk for Lyme disease:

• Lyme bacteria are not found in deer blood or muscles. The bacteria reside in ticks, not deer.
• Any ticks on a deer's skin are removed during the hunting and butchering process.
• Lyme bacteria cannot survive the cooking process. Thorough cooking kills any potential bacteria.
• The digestive system acts as a barrier against infection. Digesting eliminated bacteria.

In rare cases, undercooked venison could potentially transmit other deer-related diseases like chronic wasting disease. However, these risks are avoided by properly handling and cooking the meat to safe internal temperatures.

Other Tick-Borne Diseases

While Lyme disease specifically cannot be contracted from deer meat, ticks can transmit other diseases that deer may carry. These include:

• Anaplasmosis - Caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum bacteria.
• Babesiosis - Caused by Babesia microti parasites.
• Ehrlichiosis - Caused by Ehrlichia chaffeensis and E. ewingii bacteria.
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever - Caused by Rickettsia rickettsii bacteria.
• Tick-borne Relapsing Fever - Caused by Borrelia species bacteria.

However, like Lyme disease, these pathogens live in ticks - not deer. As long as the deer meat is properly cooked, there is no risk of contracting these tick-borne illnesses from venison.

Proper Cooking Temperatures

To kill any potential bacteria or blood-borne pathogens, venison should be cooked to recommended safe internal temperatures:

• Steaks, roasts, chops - 145F (63C)
• Ground venison - 160F (71C)

Use a meat thermometer to verify temperatures. Let meat rest for 3 minutes before carving or consuming. Frozen venison should be thawed in the refrigerator, not at room temperature.

Field Dressing Precautions

When field dressing deer, hunters should take these precautions to avoid potential tick exposure:

• Wear protective gloves, coveralls, boots, and hats.
• Use insect repellents containing DEET or permethrin.
• Check your body for ticks after dressing deer.
• Remove and wash clothing after dressing deer.

Properly cooking venison kills any microbes that could potentially be passed on by field dressing. But taking precautions reduces tick exposure risk.

How Ticks Can Make You Sick

Ticks are small, blood-sucking parasites that can transmit infections and diseases when they bite humans. Different types of ticks spread different illnesses. Recognizing common ticks and knowing how to prevent tick bites is crucial for avoiding these potential infections.

Deer Ticks

Deer ticks, also known as blacklegged ticks, can transmit:

• Lyme disease - Caused by Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. Symptoms include rash, fever, headache, fatigue.
• Anaplasmosis - Caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum bacteria. Symptoms include fever, chills, muscle aches.
• Babesiosis - Caused by Babesia microti parasites. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, muscle aches.
• Ehrlichiosis - Caused by Ehrlichia chaffeensis and E. ewingii bacteria. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain.
• Powassan virus - Symptoms include fever, vomiting, seizures, encephalitis.

Lone Star Ticks

Lone star ticks can transmit:

• Ehrlichiosis
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever - Caused by Rickettsia rickettsii bacteria. Symptoms include fever, rash, headache.
• Tularemia - Caused by Francisella tularensis bacteria. Symptoms include fever, ulcers, swollen glands.
• STARI - Southern tick-associated rash illness. Symptoms include circular rash.

Dog Ticks

Dog ticks can transmit:

• Rocky Mountain spotted fever
• Tularemia
• Ehrlichiosis
• Tick paralysis - Caused by a toxin in tick saliva. Symptoms include muscle weakness, numbness, paralysis.

Brown Dog Ticks

Brown dog ticks can transmit:

• Rocky Mountain spotted fever
• Rickettsia parkeri rickettsiosis - Caused by Rickettsia parkeri bacteria. Symptoms include fever, headache, rash.

Preventing Tick Bites and Illness

You can prevent tick bites and possible infection by:

• Avoiding wooded and brushy areas with tall grass
• Using EPA-registered insect repellents
• Wearing long sleeves, pants, and closed-toe shoes outdoors
• Treating clothing and gear with permethrin
• Checking your body for ticks after being outdoors
• Showering within 2 hours of coming indoors
• Tumbling dry clothes on high heat to kill ticks

Promptly removing attached ticks can help prevent transmission of disease. If you develop symptoms after a tick bite, see your healthcare provider.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.