1995 Outbreak of Trichinosis Linked to Cougar Jerky, Idaho

A hunter shot and killed a cougar and then prepared jerky from the cougar meat by brining and smoking the meat. He never heated the meat to a high enough temperature to kill the trinchinella larva that were still contained in the meat. An outbreak of trichinellosis ensued when the hunter and nine friends ate the jerky. Live trichinella larva were isolated from the jerky.

Overview

Outbreak began:March 1995
Affected country:US
States/territories:ID
Pathogen:Trichinella
Vehicle(s):Cougar
Location(s):Private Home
Molecular test results:no

Health impact

Total ill:10

Sources & documents

Report / reference links