Trichinosis

Eating raw or undercooked pork and wild game products infected with the larvae of a species of worm called Trichinella spiralis causes trichinosis. Infection occurs worldwide, but is most common in areas where raw or undercooked pork, such as ham or sausage, is eaten.

• Manifestations: The first symptoms of trichinosis:
• Nausea
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Abdominal discomfort

These symptoms are followed by:

• Headaches
• Fevers
• Chills
• Cough
• Eye swelling
• Aching joints
• Muscle pains
• Itchy skin

If the infection is heavy, patients may experience difficulty co-ordinating movements, and have heart and breathing problems. In severe cases, death can occur.

Diagnose and treatment: A blood test or muscle biopsy can show if you have trichinosis

Treatment is available

Prevent trichinosis by:

• Cook meat products until the juices run clear or to an internal temperature of 170 ^o F.
• Freeze pork less than 6 inches thick for 20 days at 5 ^o F to kill any worms.
• Cook wild game meat thoroughly
• Freezing wild game meats, unlike freezing pork products, even for long periods of time, may not effectively kill all worms
• Cook all meat from pigs or other wild animals
• Do not allow dogs to eat uncooked carcasses of other animals, including rats, which may be infected with trichinosis
• Clean meat grinders thoroughly if you prepare your own ground meats.

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