Trichinosis Derived from Bear Meat in the Western Part of Japan

Abstract

On December 12, 1981, five persons ate raw bear meat thawed from the frazen state in Hotel “M” in the urban area of Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture. Of them, four suffered from pruritus, eruption, myalgia, and facial edema over a period from December 27, 1981, to January 10, 1982. Examination in a hospital revealed that they might have been involved in trichinosis. Inspection demonstrated the presence of Trichinella spiralis in the bear meat remaining in the hotel. A total of 413 persons were reported to have eaten the same bear meat and subjected to serological tests. As a result, 60 persons, including the four mentioned above, were positive for this parasite. The meat had been collected from a bear, Selenarctos thibetanus, shot in a mountain in Kyoto Prefecture, and supplied in a frozen state (-15°C-30°C).