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CBS News has reported that at least six members of a family fell victim to brain worm infection after consuming black bear meat harvested by one of their own, as revealed in a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The ordeal began in July 2022 when a Minnesota man was repeatedly hospitalized due to symptoms including fever, muscle soreness, and swelling around his eyes. Investigation revealed that the man had attended a family gathering in South Dakota, where he and others consumed kabobs made from black bear meat stored in a freezer for a month and a half before being thawed for the meal.
Concerningly, the meat was initially undercooked and had to be recooked after family members noticed its rawness. Despite efforts to cook it thoroughly, the CDC report highlighted that because the meat was darker in color, it was inadvertently served rare.
Trichinellosis, a rare roundworm typically contracted through the consumption of wild game, was diagnosed in the 29-year-old Minnesota man. The parasite, once in a human host, can migrate through the body to muscle tissue and organs, including the brain.
Alarmingly, five other family members were also diagnosed with the same worm infection. Among them, three required hospitalization and were treated with albendazole, a medication aimed at depriving the worms of essential nutrients, leading to their demise.
The CDC emphasized that adequate cooking, to an internal temperature of at least 165°F, is the only effective method to kill trichinella parasites and prevent infection. Moreover, there’s a risk of cross-contamination to other foods if precautions are not taken.
Dr. Céline Gounder highlighted symptoms of brain worm infection, which can include nausea, vomiting, headaches, and seizures, underscoring the severity of the health risk posed by improperly prepared wild game meat.
