Nunavut health officials warn of trichinella in walrus meat

Nunavut’s health department is urgently warning people in Sanikiluaq not to eat meat from two walruses caught near the community during the week of Sept. 3.

Tests found the meat contained trichinella worms, which can cause trichinosis, a serious illness which can be fatal.

“Don’t wait for symptoms,” said health department spokeswoman Pam Coulter. “If they’ve eaten that meat the need to go to the health centre.”

Coulter said trichinella is easily treated with pills that kill the worms.

A health department news release said the meat was shared widely throughout the community. It’s not clear yet if anyone has fallen ill from the meat.

People who eat meat infected with trichinella worms can become sick with trichinosis within three to 21 days. Symptoms include stomach and muscle pain, diarrhea, swollen eyelids, sweating and weakness.

The department is urging anyone who still has meat from the walruses to destroy it or cook it thoroughly before eating it for feeding it to dogs, who can also contract trichinosis from uncooked meat.