Trichinella warning issued in Rankin Inlet over infected walrus meat
Harvested walrus has tested positive for the disease, says Health Department
A walrus killed recently near Rankin Inlet has tested positive for trichinella, the Health Department says. (File photo)
Residents of Rankin Inlet are being warned that a walrus harvested near Rabbit Island on Sept. 7 has tested positive for trichinella.
In a news release Thursday, Nunavut’s Health Department advised anyone who has eaten uncooked walrus recently and is experiencing stomach pain, muscle pain, diarrhea, swollen eyelids, sweating and weakness, to see a doctor.
People should tell their health-care provider that they ate uncooked walrus if they have any of these symptoms, the release advised.
Testing a walrus is the only way to determine that the meat is safe. Before eating walrus that someone else has caught, the release said, ask if it has been tested.
Freezing or fermenting meat will not kill trichinella, it can only be killed by cooking, the release said. Residents are advised to avoid feeding uncooked walrus meat to pets, and to wash and sanitize all utensils in contact with the meat.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency website says trichinella, or trichinosis, is a disease that can affect both animals and humans. It’s caused by nematodes, or roundworms, and infected larvae can be transferred from host to host by eating raw or uncooked infected meat.
Residents who have further questions or want to learn more about walrus testing can contact the local environmental health officer.
3 weeks later probably gone now.
Why 3 weeks later to late 🤔 🙄 poor Nunavut
If you’re not from Nunavut, don’t worry about it, just try corrections to you inner-cities.
Our cat had Trichinella; gave ir a pill. All worms gone now. Matbe we can give a pill to the walruses before they are harvested