Ten people, including five children, fell ill after consuming bear meat infected with parasites at a barbecue in western North Carolina, as reported by the CDC. Out of the 34 attendees at the gathering in November 2023, 22 consumed the infected meat. Symptoms included fever, facial swelling, and muscle aches, with a 10-year-old child being the youngest affected.
It was revealed that the meat was undercooked and contaminated with a rare parasite called trichinellosis. In total, there have been 51 cases of trichinellosis in the US related to bear meat since 2016. The CDC recommends cooking bear meat to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to eliminate the parasite.
While eating bear meat is legal in most parts of the US for hunters, proper preparation and cooking are crucial to avoid parasites like trichinellosis. Symptoms of trichinellosis include abdominal pain, fever, headaches, and diarrhea, with severe cases potentially leading to muscle aches and even death.
Despite no reported deaths from trichinellosis, cases have been on the rise in areas where black bears are hunted for their meat. The risk of contracting trichinellosis depends on how the meat is handled and cooked, as well as whether the bear itself is infected with the parasite.
In another incident in July 2022, six cases of trichinellosis were reported in South Dakota after consuming bear meat. Proper cooking and handling of wild game meat are essential to prevent the spread of parasites. Cases like these highlight the importance of safe handling and thorough cooking of wild game meat to prevent infections and ensure public health.