Per CDC
Trichinellosis is an infection caused by the larvae of a parasitic worm. Parasites are living things that live on or inside other living things. People get trichinellosis, or trichinosis, after eating raw or undercooked meat that contains the parasite. Usually, meat contaminated with the Trichinella larvae comes from meat-eating animals such as bear, wild boar, or walrus.
Trichinellosis is a rare disease in the United States, with only about 15 confirmed cases per year. Worldwide, there are about 10,000 recorded cases per year. Trichinellosis can cause severe symptoms.
In the past, people in the U.S. often got the disease from eating undercooked or raw pork containing the larvae. Modern regulations on raising commercially farmed pigs and cooking guidelines for pork have helped to lower the risk of trichinellosis in this area.
KEY POINTS
People who eat raw or undercooked meat from certain animals can get trichinellosis.
Trichinellosis is a rare disease in the United States, and the risk of getting it is low.
Trichinellosis symptoms can be mistaken for flu symptoms.
Cooking meat to safe temperatures prevents trichinellosis.
To learn more visit: About Trichinellosis | Trichinellosis (Trichinosis) | CDC
