Tuberculosis

Overview

How can I get sick?

• Eating or drinking unpasteurized (raw, straight from the animal) dairy products such as milk or cheese that has the bacteria in it.
• If the bacteria get into an open sore or open cut.

Symptoms in people:

Some people have no signs of sickness, others might have the following:

• Fever (when your body is a little hotter than normal)

• Sweating at night
• Weight loss
• Cough
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea (runny poop)
• Weakness
• Tiredness
• Chills (feeling of being cold and shivering)

What can I do to stay healthy?

• Do not eat unpasteurized (raw, right from the animal) dairy products such as milk or cheese.
• If you have a cut or open sore and are harvesting* an animal (such as when hunting or fishing), make sure to protect yourself and wear gloves.

• Meat should be cooked to the proper internal cooking temperature to kill any bacteria.

• Make sure to clean knives that were used during harvesting/field dressing*.
• Always wash hands after harvesting* an animal.
  • Proper Handwashing – Wash your hands with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds. Make sure to scrub your thumbs, between your fingers and the tops and bottoms of your hands. Dry your hands with a paper towel.

*Definitions: 

• Harvesting an animal: The process of removing an animal to be used for meat or fur.