Trichinosis

Commonly Infected Wildlife

Bears and feral hogs.

Is This Animal Infected?

Wildlife and swine rarely show signs of disease.

Always assume bears and feral hogs are infected.

Can I Get It?

Yes, by eating undercooked infected meat.

How bad can it get?

Mild symptoms are common, but trichinosis can result in serious illness and may even be fatal.

Symptoms in humans

• Variable but may include nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, fever, stomach pain, fatigue, aching joints, eye swelling, and muscle pain.
• May be fatal if the worms interfere with the heart, diaphragm, lungs, or brain.
• See your doctor if you have any of the above symptoms for up to eight weeks after eating bear or feral hog meat.

Protect Myself and Others

• Do not eat raw or undercooked meat. Cook meat thoroughly to a minimum of 165°F.
• The worms are not killed by smoking, freezing (depending on time and temperature), microwaving, curing, or drying.

Safe for Pets?

Raw meat is not safe for pets. The worms are killed only when cooking the meat to a proper temperature. Cooked meat is safe for pets to eat.

What Causes It?

A roundworm called Trichinella found in the muscles of infected animals.