what is trichinosis

Trichinosis, also known as trichinellosis, is a type of roundworm infection caused by the microscopic parasite Trichinella. The parasite larvae can migrate and embed in the muscles. People can get this disease by eating raw or undercooked meat from animals infected with the parasite, particularly wild game meat such as bear, wild feline, fox, dog, wolf, horse, seal, and walrus, and less commonly, pork. The parasite is not found in domestic pigs raised in confinement, but can be found in pigs raised outdoors in close contact with wildlife and rodents. Symptoms of trichinosis include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, fever, and abdominal discomfort, followed by headaches, fevers, chills, cough, swelling of the face and eyes, aching joints and muscle pains, itchy skin, diarrhea, or constipation. In severe cases, complications related to trichinosis can be potentially dangerous, even fatal, such as pain and swelling (inflammation) of the muscle layer of the heart wall (myocarditis), brain (encephalitis), and protective tissue layer surrounding the brain. To prevent trichinosis, it is recommended to cook meat completely to at least 145ºF internal temperature, and make sure pork is thoroughly cooked to at least 160ºF and all pink areas have turned grey.