Disease: Trichinellosis
This page provides general information about this condition. Text can be revealed by clicking on the green headers. Links to press releases, results from DWHC investigations as well as other useful documents and relevant literature available on the DWHC website can be found at the bottom of the page.
Pathogen
Trichinella is a round worm that can infect people through consumption of insufficiently cooked meat. The most well-known sort is Trichinella spiralis.
Susceptible species
The worm is found in rodents and in animals such as wild boar, foxes, badgers and raccoons that prey on them. Horses can also be infected by Trichinella and this is thought to occur through consumption of hay or other forage containing mouse cadavers.
Signs in animals
Infection in animals very rarely causes disease.
Symptoms in people
Trichinella infection can cause serious disease in humans with a range of symptoms including gastrointestinal disturbance, muscle and joint aches and fever.
Infection of people
Humans, like other animals, can become infected by eating raw or under-cooked meats (particularly pork and horse meat) that contain Trichinella cysts.
Preventative measures
All domestic and wild animals that are susceptible to Trichinella infection that enter the food chain are routinely tested for evidence of infection. In the Netherlands this includes domestic horses and pigs and wild boar. Contaminated meat identified in this way is destroyed.
External information
Research results
No researchresults found.
Projects
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General news
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Publications
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