According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), six people who attended a family gathering where undercooked bear meat was served became infected with a “brain parasite.”
The CDC: statement It was reported on Thursday that a 29-year-old man from Minnesota had been hospitalized with symptoms including fever, “severe muscle pain” and “periorbital swelling.” Prior to seeking medical attention, the man had attended a family gathering with eight other family members where “unusual” bear meat was served several days before symptoms “appeared.”
According to the CDC, the family gathering included servings of bear kebabs made from bear meat that a family member had “caught” in northern Saskatchewan, Canada.
“The meat was originally served unintentionally rare, reportedly because its dark color made it difficult for families to visually inspect the meat for doneness,” the CDC said.
An investigation into the patient’s symptoms was launched, which resulted in his diagnosis being “confirmed by a positive test result.” Trichinella spiralis “Immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibody test results”
Black and white 1825 photograph of a cross-section of the lateral ventricles of the human brain. Alphabetical numbers indicate locations of worm infestations in the ventricles. Courtesy of the Internet Archive. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
Trichinellosis is described as “food poisoning caused by a microscopic parasite called Trichinella spiralis,” also known as brain worm. according to New York State Department of Health.
“Six days before the index patient developed symptoms, he and eight other relatives from three states (Arizona, Minnesota, and South Dakota) gathered in South Dakota for several days and shared a meal that included skewers of black bear meat,” the CDC said in a statement.
Health officials from three states interviewed the families and found that five had eaten bear meat and eight had eaten vegetables that had been cooked with undercooked bear meat.
Of the six family members who became ill after eating the meal, four had eaten both bear meat and vegetables, and two had eaten only vegetables.
Three of the six family members who became ill were hospitalized. All six family members who became ill have recovered.
“Families who trapped bears and provided meat samples for testing were advised to discard any remaining meat,” the CDC added. “All confirmed cases of trichinellosis were reported to the appropriate state health department and CDC.”
