Ten people in North Carolina contract trichinellosis from undercooked bear meat

Ten people in North Carolina have contracted trichinellosis, a parasitic infection linked to undercooked bear meat. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the outbreak originated from a gathering where many attendees consumed the meat. Symptoms of trichinellosis include facial swelling, muscle aches, high fever, nausea, and diarrhea. Out of the ten affected individuals, nine experienced facial swelling, and six reported muscle pain. The CDC emphasizes the importance of cooking wild meat to at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit to kill the parasite. Trichinellosis is rare but has occurred in the U.S. before, including a similar case in South Dakota in 2022. Symptoms can appear from one to 15 days after consuming infected meat and may last from five to 45 days.