Deer blood sample collection
Blood samples were collected by recreational hunters and professional culling staff from deer populations across eastern Australia (Figure 1). In most cases the geographic location of collection sites was determined based on its proximity with livestock dense areas. Samples were mostly collected during field operations in cold weather months, when most culling operations occur in Australia. Blood was drawn from the jugular vein, the heart or the thoracic cavity and collected with and without anticoagulant (EDTA). Collection tubes (Becton Dickinson, USA) were inverted to mix and prevent clotting, immediately kept under refrigerated conditions and transported to the laboratory. Immediately upon reception, samples were centrifuged for 10 min at 2,000 g. Aliquots of plasma and blood pellet were stored at -80°C and -20°C, respectively.