Thread: Anyone had and orf?

Have a google about them if you don't know what they are. I contracted one about a year ago off a hind I shot. Nasty little scab that I initially thought was a thorn or splinter in between my thumb and forefinger. When it mutated into a sore that wouldn't seem to heal I showed a nurse who knew what it was straight away. She asked if I had been handling sheep or goats. I told her no, but that I had handled a deer about 2 weeks earlier. She said it was more common to contract them from sheep or goats. She had seen a number of farmers,freezing workers and shearers over the years with them. I researched the possibility of contracting from red deer and found a bit of information on red deer carrying the virus. I also found info on deer in America carrying similar types if viruses. Anyway, it was a nasty bloody thing that took forever to heal - probably about 6 weeks. I suspect I got it when I only slightly nicked that area of my hand with the knife during the gutting process.

I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has ever picked one up of a deer.