At least 20 people have been sickened in an outbreak of trichinosis in Argentina. Health officials in the province of Santa Fe said ill people reported consumption of chorizo seco, a type of dried sausage, from a local business. In the town of Acebal, 26 potentially exposed people have been reported so far, of which 20 developed symptoms.
An investigation is being carried out into the outbreak associated with eating products with a suspected manufacturing date between April 24 and May 16 this year. Product samples were taken, and the Santa Fe Food Safety Agency (Assal) laboratory reported a positive sample for Trichinella spiralis. Wider problem Assal recommended that people not consume products from raw or undercooked pork prepared by the implicated outlet.
Other advice included not buying unlabeled items or meat products on social media. In 2023, health officials in the province of Buenos Aires reported 651 suspected cases and seven outbreaks. Up to mid-September, 433 suspected infections plus 387 confirmed and probable cases had been recorded in 2023 across the country.
Trichinosis is transmitted by eating raw or undercooked pork contaminated with the parasite Trichinella. Initial symptoms of infection are nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, fever, and abdominal discomfort. Headaches, fevers, chills, cough, swelling of the face and eyes, aching joints and muscle pains, itchy skin, diarrhea, or constipation may follow.
Patients may have difficulty coordinating movements an.
