May 28th 2024.
A joyful celebration turned into a frightening ordeal for one family after they consumed a unique dish of black bear meat, which resulted in several members being hospitalized. According to the latest edition of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, this incident took place during the summer of 2022.
The family, whose identity remains undisclosed, had gathered from different parts of the country for a reunion in South Dakota. One of the family members, who happened to be a skilled hunter, had brought some black bear meat that he had hunted in northern Saskatchewan in May 2022. He had followed the recommended practice of freezing the meat for 45 days to eliminate any potential parasites.
On the day of the reunion, the family decided to grill the meat along with some vegetables in the form of kebabs. It is worth noting that freezing can kill certain parasites commonly found in black bears. However, as per the World Organisation for Animal Health, some species of parasites are capable of surviving freezing temperatures.
Wildlife such as bears, wild boars, wolves, and squirrels are known to carry trichinellosis, a serious disease caused by parasitic roundworms of the genus Trichinella. Unfortunately, these animals may appear perfectly healthy even when infected. Moreover, it is challenging to detect the presence of parasites while butchering the meat due to the lack of visible signs.
Experts advise bear hunters to assume all bear meat to be infected and recommend cooking it thoroughly to an internal temperature of at least 73 degrees Celsius to kill the parasites. Methods like smoking, salting, drying, and microwaving may not always be effective in eliminating the parasites. In this case, the meat was initially served rare, but not intentionally. The dark color of the meat made it difficult for the family members to determine the level of doneness, leading to it being undercooked.
It was only after some family members fell ill that they realized the meat was not cooked properly. The first person to get sick was a 29-year-old man who had to be hospitalized twice over a three-week period. He experienced severe muscle pain, fever, and swelling of the eyes. Blood tests revealed that he had eosinophilia, a condition that can indicate allergies, cancer, or parasites.
During his second hospital visit, the doctors learned that he had consumed bear meat, raising suspicion of trichinellosis. Subsequent tests confirmed the diagnosis, prompting the investigation team to recommend testing for the other family members. Trichinellosis can range from mild to severe, and the symptoms depend on the location of the larvae in the body. In some cases, there may be no visible signs of infection.
If the parasites migrate to the gastrointestinal tract, they can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. On the other hand, if they reach the muscles, they can lead to fever, rashes, conjunctivitis, and facial swelling. In rare cases, the infection can be life-threatening, causing heart problems, issues with the central nervous system, and difficulty breathing.
Out of the eight family members interviewed, six showed symptoms consistent with trichinellosis. Four of them had consumed the bear meat and vegetables, while the other two had only eaten vegetables cooked with the meat. Three of the family members required hospitalization, and they were treated with albendazole, an antiparasitic medication. The others received supportive care since their symptoms had already subsided.
During the investigation, the CDC labs received samples of the frozen bear meat and detected the presence of Trichinella larvae. The hunter was advised to discard any remaining meat, and the Public Health Agency of Canada was also informed about the outbreak, as the bear had originated from that country. It is crucial to cook game meat thoroughly, especially wild game from northern regions, to avoid such incidents.
As contaminated meat can cross-contaminate other foods, it is essential to store and prepare raw meat separately from other items. The CDC also recommends that government agencies and private organizations involved in hunting should educate hunters about the potential risks and ways to protect themselves.
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