The primary path of infection with BSE in cattle is through contaminated feed. BSE can spread between animals via bodily fluids and by coprophagia. The primary path of infection with BSE in humans is through the consumption of infected tissue, especially brain and spinal cord fluid. Muscle tissue is generally considered safe for consumption but due to cross-contamination in meat processing brain and spinal fluid may contaminate the muscle tissue. Cow's milk never contains the disease -causing prions.Coming in contact with contaminated deer feces could probably be enough.
Transmission and Detection of Prions in Feces
In chronic wasting disease (CWD) of cervids and scrapie of sheep, prions appear to be transmitted horizontally. Oral exposure to prion-tainted blood, urine, saliva and feces has been suggested as the mode of transmission for CWD and scrapie among herbivores ...www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Prions are hard to kill. Extreme heat for hours or chemicals can do it. If you get a prion disease, and there's a handful out there, you are out of luck because there's no cure and they are all fatal.
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