Eating undercooked meat of wild game animals can cause a rare disease known as trichinellosis, health officials warned.
Six cases of parasitic disease were reported by family members in Arizona, Minnesota and South Dakota.
Family members shared a meal that included undercooked meat from a black bear, as reported in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
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“It is vitally important to remember to properly cook any raw meat, as undercooked meat has the potential to cause trichinosis and other diseases. infectious diseases“Dr. Aaron Glatt, chief of infectious diseases at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital in Long Island, New York, told Fox News Digital.
Meat containing Trichinella worms can also contaminate other foodlike vegetables, which are cooked along with it, the CDC warned.
Six family members became ill after eating undercooked meat from a black bear (not pictured), as reported in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. (iStock/Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, CDC)
“People who consume wild meat should be aware that proper cooking is the only reliable way to kill the parasites that cause trichinellosis, which may be resistant to freezing,” said Shama Cash-Goldwasser, a wildlife service officer. CDC Epidemic Intelligence. FoxNewsDigital.
Experts shared a summary of the cases reported so far, as well as tips to prevent trichinellosis.
How did the bear meat infection occur?
In early July 2022, a 29-year-old man, whose name was not shared, began feeling unwell a few days after sharing a meal during a family gathering in South Dakota.
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He was hospitalized after returning to Minnesota, complaining of fever, severe muscle pain and swelling around his eyes. Blood tests revealed high levels of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell that can indicate a worm infection.
The man's most recent meal included skewers made with black bear meat, according to the report.
He black bear It was originally harvested by one of the family members in northern Saskatchewan, Canada, in May 2022, and then frozen in a home freezer for 45 days at an unknown temperature.
The bear meat was then thawed, roasted with vegetables and “inadvertently” served raw, according to the report.
Some wild game animals are resistant to freezing, meaning that freezing may not effectively kill all worms. (iStock)
The man was treated with albendazole, a antiparasitic medication. An antibody blood test confirmed that she had trichinellosis.
The CDC launched an investigation and found that six people at the gathering, ranging in age from 12 to 62, had symptoms consistent with trichinellosis.
“Proper cooking is the only reliable way to kill the parasites that cause trichinellosis.”
Among the six people, four had consumed both bear meat and vegetables, but two only ate vegetables. Three were hospitalizedbut they all recovered.
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The CDC found live maggots in the remaining bear meat.
Approximately 1% to 24% of black bears in Canada and Alaska are infected with trichinellosis, according to the report.
What is trichinellosis?
“Trichinellosis is the disease caused by a parasitic worm called Trichinella,” Dr. Scott Roberts, associate medical director of infection prevention at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut, told Fox News Digital.
“It is very rare in humans and is associated with the consumption of raw and undercooked meats, particularly pork and wild game.”
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Some examples of game animals that can cause illness include wild boar, wildcat, fox, wolf, seal or walrus, but people can also become infected with homemade beef jerky and sausages, according to the CDC.
There are about 10,000 cases worldwide each year, but only about 15 cases a year in the US.
Historically, the illness has been linked to eating raw pork, but a better understanding of proper food preparation has reduced those cases, Glatt noted.
The black bear (not pictured) was originally captured by one of the family members in northern Saskatchewan, Canada, in May 2022, and was then frozen in a home freezer for 45 days at an unknown temperature. (iStock)
Regulations in force The CDC noted that activities related to commercial farm pig farming have also helped reduce the risk of trichinellosis in the US.
Although infection is rare, it is possible after eating even a small amount of raw or undercooked meat, the agency warned.
Symptoms of the disease
The severity of the symptoms depends on the amount of parasite ingested, Roberts told Fox News Digital.
After consuming the contaminated meat, the stomach produces acid that causes the release of larvae, the CDC stated.
These larvae then invade the small intestine, which can cause gastrointestinal symptoms.
Wild game meat must be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure safe consumption.
After a week, the larvae travel through the bloodstream and sometimes reach the muscle, which can cause muscle pain, according to the CDC.
“Symptoms can range from none at all to gastrointestinal problems (abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) and muscle or joint pain,” Roberts said.
A characteristic symptom is swelling of the face, especially around the eyes, according to the CDC.
Symptoms of the infection can include gastrointestinal problems such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. (iStock)
Sometimes the worms can also travel to the heart, lungs, or brain, which can cause coordination problems. cardiovascular problems or respiratory problems.
Most cases will not require treatment, but deworming therapy can be given if symptoms are severe, Roberts said.
Prevention is key
To prevent trichinellosis, the CDC's Cash-Goldwasser recommends cooking wild game meat to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius) and checking the temperature with a meat thermometer.
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“Careful handling “It is also recommended to separate raw or undercooked meat and its juices from other foods to avoid cross-contamination,” he told Fox News Digital.
To prevent trichinellosis, experts recommend cooking wild game meat to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius) and checking the temperature with a meat thermometer. (iStock)
The agency also advises against testing meat until it has been confirmed to be fully cooked and recommends freezing pork less than six inches thick for 20 days at 5 degrees Fahrenheit.
Some wild game animals are resistant to freezing, meaning that freezing may not effectively kill all worms.
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Salting, drying, smoking, or microwaving meat also does not effectively kill worms, according to the CDC.
People should always remember to wash their hands with soap and warm water before and after handling raw meat, and thoroughly clean meat grinders and all other kitchen items after each use, the agency recommended.
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