OUTBREAK OF TRICHINOSIS ASSOCIATED WITH EATING COUGAR JERKY

There has been a decline in the number of human trichinellosis cases a ssociated with consumption of commercial pork in the United States, wh ile the relative importance of trichinellosis from game meats has incr eased, An investigation of an outbreak of trichinellosis in Idaho occu rring after consumption of improperly prepared cougar jerky is describ ed, Ten cases of trichinellosis were identified among 15 persons who a te the implicated meat. Viable Trichinella larvae were recovered from frozen cougar tissue. Polymerase chain reaction on parasite DNA yielde d results consistent with genotypes T. nativa and Trichinella type T6, This report of cougar meat as a source of human trichinellosis and th e finding of freeze-resistant Trichinella organisms in wildlife in Ida ho extends the range of this genotype, Consumers of game need to cook the meat thoroughly, since even frozen meat may harbor viable Trichine lla that can cause illness.