In an unusual outbreak of human trichinellosis in July 2022, six people from three states—Arizona, Minnesota, and South Dakota—were diagnosed with the parasitic disease after consuming bear meat at a family gathering in South Dakota. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently confirmed the outbreak, emphasizing the importance of proper cooking and food safety measures to prevent such infections. The outbreak originated from a meal shared by nine individuals, which included grilled black bear meat harvested from northern Saskatchewan, Canada.
The meat had been frozen for 45 days, following the hunting outfitter’s advice to kill potential parasites. Despite this precaution, six people fell ill, including two individuals who only ate vegetables cooked alongside the meat. Investigation and findings The Minnesota Department of Health was alerted to the situation in July 2022 when a 29-year-old man was hospitalized with symptoms consistent with trichinellosis: fever, severe muscle pain, periorbital edema, and eosinophilia.
The patient had a history of consuming bear meat, which led to a broader investigation. Public health authorities from Arizona, Minnesota and South Dakota conducted interviews and collected blood samples from the meal attendees. Testing confirmed six cases of trichinellosis—two confirmed through positive Trichinella immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody tests and four probable based on symptoms and exposure.
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