Introduction

In the fall of 2020, a 77-year-old pastor from rural Florida found himself grappling with an unimaginable health crisis that arose from a seemingly innocuous act—eating feral pig meat. According to a case report published in Emerging Infectious Diseases, his story serves as a cautionary tale about the hidden dangers of consuming wild game.

The Medical Mystery

The man arrived at a Gainesville hospital with persistent chest pain that had been plaguing him for almost two years. His medical background was already concerning, as he battled Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart failure. With several heart surgeries and implants behind him, his health conditions made him particularly vulnerable.

Initially, doctors suspected an infection in his cardiac implant, but extensive tests failed to identify the culprit. After enduring multiple rounds of antibiotics over two years, his condition remained troublingly unresolved, until late 2020 when blood tests finally revealed the alarming presence of *Brucella suis*, a bacterium typically associated with feral pigs.

The Dangers of *Brucella suis***

*Brucella suis* is notorious for causing brucellosis, a severe and often difficult-to-diagnose infection in humans. While it primarily affects pigs—leading to stillbirths and other severe reproductive issues—humans can contract it through handling or consuming contaminated meat, particularly in regions where feral pig populations thrive, like Florida.

Alarmingly, there are only around 80 to 140 reported cases of brucellosis in the United States each year, most commonly linked to unpasteurized dairy, while *B. suis* remains rare. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) flagged this bacteria as a potential biothreat, as a small number of its cells can lead to serious infections, complicating public health efforts.

In an intriguing turn of events, federal authorities removed *Brucella* species from the government’s list of select agents earlier this year. This controversial decision aimed to ease research restrictions, but raised eyebrows among public health experts who remain concerned about the bacteria's potential weaponization in bioterrorism.

How It Happened: A Fateful Gift

The source of the infection traced back to gifts of feral swine meat he received from a local hunter in 2017. The man recalled handling the raw meat and blood without gloves—a clear risk for transmission. Unfortunately, he was not a hunter himself, making the exposure particularly unexpected.

With the undetected infection now identified, healthcare workers who had previously interacted with the man, including laboratory staff, faced potential exposure risks. Authorities took immediate action to monitor those at risk, emphasizing the serious nature of *Brucella suis* and its transmissibility.

Following a proper treatment protocol from the CDC—comprising doxycycline and rifampin for six weeks—the man eventually found relief from his symptoms. Positive news followed; at a routine check-up more than three years post-treatment, he appeared to be free of brucellosis.

Takeaway for Residents: Caution is Key

This alarming case underscores the need for increased awareness regarding the potential risks of brucellosis in Florida, particularly for individuals with implanted medical devices. With over a million feral swine inhabiting the state, the threat is far from negligible. Health professionals in Florida now recognize the importance of considering brucellosis in diagnoses, advocating for education on safe practices when handling wild game.

Residents are urged to think twice before consuming gamey gifts and to seek sanitary preparation methods to mitigate these hidden threats. This case serves as a crucial reminder of the unforeseen health risks lurking within the wild!