Small game (fox, brown hare, pheasant and duck) as carriers of zoonoses

Small game involves numerous infection hazards in terms of contact zoonoses and foodborne diseases. Especially exposed are hunters, game dealers, vete rinarians, housewives, farmers, forest workers, laboratory staff, and taxid ermists, but also consumers of insufficiently cooked game. This paper gives a survey of the most significant zoonoses in small game in Europe, which a re discussed in the light of the author's own research results in this fiel d. Finally, measures concerning prophylaxis and food hygiene are suggested.