Loading...
Shortly after a backwoods retreat in Wisconsin, a 57-year-old man presented to an emergency department with acute fever, malaise, hives, headaches, leukopenia, and transaminitis. Given his recent wilderness exposure, he received doxycycline for suspected ehrlichiosis or anaplasmosis. His symptoms improved within 2 days but he reported a similar illness in 8 other men who were also on the retreat, where they had eaten undercooked venison. Additional symptoms included dark urine, sore throat, blurry vision, and swollen lymph nodes. Negative testing panels for ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis as well as other pathogens prompted an investigation by the public health department.
Of the 12 retreat participants, 11 consumed undercooked venison; of the…