A recent report from the CDC revealed several family members were infected with brain worms after consuming undercooked bear meat. The incident occurred in July 2022 when the Minnesota Department of Health was alerted to a 29-year-old man who had been hospitalized multiple times over a two-and-a-half-week period with symptoms such as fever and swelling around the eyes.
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During his second hospitalization, the man revealed that he had attended a family gathering in South Dakota a few days prior. He shared a meal that included kabobs made from bear meat. The meat was harvested by a family member in northern Saskatchewan and stored in a freezer for a month and a half before it was thawed for the meal. He also stated that the darker color of the meat led it to be initially served rare, but family members noticed the undercooked taste and recooked the meat before serving it again.
Nine family members from Minnesota, South Dakota, and Arizona consumed the meal, although some only ate the vegetables cooked and served with the bear meat. The man was diagnosed with trichinosis, a rare human infection caused by roundworms usually contracted from wild game. The parasite’s larvae can migrate from muscle tissue and organs, including the brain. Five other members, including a 12-year-old girl and two individuals who only ate the vegetables, were also diagnosed with the infection, CBS News reported.
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Three other family members were hospitalized and treated with albendazole, a medication that effectively kills the worms by preventing their ability to absorb sugar. In their report, the CDC provided tips on how to prevent trichinella infections, stating that meat should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
They also warned about the risk of cross-contamination with other foods and that the prevalence of trichinella parasites in wild animals can vary, but up to one-quarter of black bears in Canada and Alaska may be infected. Trichinosis can cause a two-stage punch of symptoms. Early on, it may mimic the flu with diarrhea, nausea, fatigue, and stomach cramps. Later, after a few weeks, the larvae invade muscles, leading to fever, chills, severe muscle pain and tenderness, especially in the face and eyes, headaches, and weakness.
