Not all infections associated with game are transmitted through consumption of meat. Some pathogens enter the body during carcass processing, through contact with blood, tissues, and animal fluids, via aerosols, or through a contaminated environment. In these cases, a person may not eat game at all and still become infected.
Many people significantly underestimate the risks associated with consuming meat from wild animals. First of all, this is due to a persistent belief in everything “natural” and the conviction that game meat is a priori cleaner and healthier than store-bought meat. This misconception is further reinforced by the habits of hunters and tourists: “we have always cooked it this way,” “hot food cannot be raw,” “it is natural meat.” As a result, people become convinced that game is safe in itself, regardless of how thoroughly it is prepared.
Plant-based diets are becoming increasingly common, and their selection is often associated with ethical, environmental, or individual preferences. Vegetarian and fully plant-based diets can be viable, but they differ in nutrient composition, absorption, and the need for correction.
