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Tainted Beef Jerky Caused an Outbreak of Bear Worms
Gizmodo • • health
Key Points:
- In North Carolina, an outbreak of Trichinella roundworm infections in 2024 was linked to undercooked homemade jerky made from wild bear meat, sickening at least three people and hospitalizing one with severe symptoms.
- The infected bear meat tested positive for Trichinella larvae, and the jerky preparation, which involved only marinating and drying, likely did not reach a safe internal temperature to kill the parasites.
- Trichinellosis, once common from undercooked pork, is now rare in the U.S. but increasingly associated with wild game meat, with North Carolina seeing a notable rise in bear-related outbreaks in recent years.
- The identification of Trichinella spiralis, a species rarely found in bears, suggests possible changes in infection patterns among wildlife, highlighting the need for enhanced wildlife disease surveillance.
- Health officials emphasize that cooking game meat to above 165°F (74°C) and following safe food handling practices can prevent trichinellosis, as freezing alone may not eliminate all Trichinella larvae.
